UNIT IV MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK
QUIZ Q&A
Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client
interaction? Client: My father spanked me often. Nurse: Your father was a harsh
disciplinarian.
A. Restatement
B. Offering general leads
C. Focusing
D. Accepting - Answer-ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of
restatement. Restatement involves repeating the main idea of what the client has
said. The nurse uses this technique to communicate that the clients statement has
been heard and understood.
Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client
interaction? Client: When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol.
Nurse: Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease
anxiety?
A. Reflecting
B. Making observations
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Giving recognition - Answer-ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of
formulating a plan of action to help the client explore alternatives to drinking alcohol.
The use of this technique, rather than direct confrontation regarding the clients poor
coping choice, may serve to prevent anger or anxiety from escalating.
The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which nursing
statement is an example of offering a general lead?
A. Do you know why you are here?
B. Are you feeling depressed or anxious?
C. Yes, I see. Go on.
D. Can you chronologically order the events that led to your admission? - Answer-
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, Yes, I see. Go on, is an example of the
therapeutic communication technique of a general lead. Offering a general lead
encourages the client to continue sharing information.
,A nurse states to a client, Things will look better tomorrow after a good nights sleep.
This is an example of which communication technique?
A. The therapeutic technique of giving advice
B. The therapeutic technique of defending
C. The nontherapeutic technique of presenting reality
D. The nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance - Answer-ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, Things will look better tomorrow after a good
nights sleep, is an example of the nontherapeutic technique of giving false
reassurance. Giving false reassurance indicates to the client that there is no cause
for anxiety, thereby devaluing the clients feelings.
A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient
psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic
communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?
A. What occurred prior to the rape, and when did you go to the emergency
department?
B. What would you like to talk about?
C. I notice you seem uncomfortable discussing this.
D. How can we help you feel safe during your stay here? - Answer-ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, What would you like to talk about? is an
example of the therapeutic communication technique of giving broad openings.
Using a broad opening allows the client to take the initiative in introducing the topic
and emphasizes the importance of the clients role in the interaction.
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of
hallucinations. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an
example of making observations?
A. You appear to be talking to someone I do not see.
B. Please describe what you are seeing.
C. Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?
D. If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting - Answer-ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The nurse is making an observation when stating, You appear to be
talking to someone I do not see. Making observations involves verbalizing what is
observed or perceived. This encourages the client to recognize specific behaviors
and make comparisons with the nurses perceptions.
A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is
reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening?
A. S
B. O
C. L
D. E
E. R - Answer-ANSWER: B
, RATIONALE: The nurse should identify that maintaining an uncrossed arm and leg
posture is nonverbal behavior that reflects the O in the active-listening acronym
SOLER. The acronym SOLER includes sitting squarely facing the client (S), open
posture when interacting with the client (O), leaning forward toward the client (L),
establishing eye contact (E), and relaxing (R).
An instructor is correcting a nursing students clinical worksheet. Which instructor
statement is the best example of effective feedback?
A. Why did you use the clients name on your clinical worksheet?
B. You were very careless to refer to your client by name on your clinical worksheet.
C. I noticed that you used the clients name in your written process recording. That is
a breach of confidentiality.
D. It is disappointing that after being told, you're still using client names on your
worksheet. - Answer-ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The instructors statement, I noticed that you used the clients name in
your written process recording, is an example of effective feedback. Feedback is a
method of communication to help others consider a modification of behavior.
Feedback should be descriptive, specific, and directed toward a behavior that the
person has the capacity to modify and should impart information rather than offer
advice or criticism.
After assertiveness training, a formerly passive client appropriately confronts a peer
in group therapy. The group leader states, Im so proud of you for being assertive.
You are so good! Which communication technique has the leader employed?
A. The nontherapeutic technique of giving approval
B. The nontherapeutic technique of interpreting
C. The therapeutic technique of presenting reality
D. The therapeutic technique of making observations - Answer-ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The group leader has employed the nontherapeutic technique of giving
approval. Giving approval implies that the nurse has the right to pass judgment on
whether the clients ideas or behaviors are good or bad. This creates a conditional
acceptance of the client.
What is the purpose of a nurse providing appropriate feedback?
A. To give the client good advice
B. To advise the client on appropriate behaviors
C. To evaluate the clients behavior
D. To give the client critical information - Answer-ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: The purpose of providing appropriate feedback is to give the client
critical information. Feedback should not be used to give advice or evaluate
behaviors.
QUIZ Q&A
Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client
interaction? Client: My father spanked me often. Nurse: Your father was a harsh
disciplinarian.
A. Restatement
B. Offering general leads
C. Focusing
D. Accepting - Answer-ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of
restatement. Restatement involves repeating the main idea of what the client has
said. The nurse uses this technique to communicate that the clients statement has
been heard and understood.
Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client
interaction? Client: When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol.
Nurse: Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease
anxiety?
A. Reflecting
B. Making observations
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Giving recognition - Answer-ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of
formulating a plan of action to help the client explore alternatives to drinking alcohol.
The use of this technique, rather than direct confrontation regarding the clients poor
coping choice, may serve to prevent anger or anxiety from escalating.
The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which nursing
statement is an example of offering a general lead?
A. Do you know why you are here?
B. Are you feeling depressed or anxious?
C. Yes, I see. Go on.
D. Can you chronologically order the events that led to your admission? - Answer-
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, Yes, I see. Go on, is an example of the
therapeutic communication technique of a general lead. Offering a general lead
encourages the client to continue sharing information.
,A nurse states to a client, Things will look better tomorrow after a good nights sleep.
This is an example of which communication technique?
A. The therapeutic technique of giving advice
B. The therapeutic technique of defending
C. The nontherapeutic technique of presenting reality
D. The nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance - Answer-ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, Things will look better tomorrow after a good
nights sleep, is an example of the nontherapeutic technique of giving false
reassurance. Giving false reassurance indicates to the client that there is no cause
for anxiety, thereby devaluing the clients feelings.
A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient
psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic
communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?
A. What occurred prior to the rape, and when did you go to the emergency
department?
B. What would you like to talk about?
C. I notice you seem uncomfortable discussing this.
D. How can we help you feel safe during your stay here? - Answer-ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, What would you like to talk about? is an
example of the therapeutic communication technique of giving broad openings.
Using a broad opening allows the client to take the initiative in introducing the topic
and emphasizes the importance of the clients role in the interaction.
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of
hallucinations. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an
example of making observations?
A. You appear to be talking to someone I do not see.
B. Please describe what you are seeing.
C. Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?
D. If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting - Answer-ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The nurse is making an observation when stating, You appear to be
talking to someone I do not see. Making observations involves verbalizing what is
observed or perceived. This encourages the client to recognize specific behaviors
and make comparisons with the nurses perceptions.
A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is
reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening?
A. S
B. O
C. L
D. E
E. R - Answer-ANSWER: B
, RATIONALE: The nurse should identify that maintaining an uncrossed arm and leg
posture is nonverbal behavior that reflects the O in the active-listening acronym
SOLER. The acronym SOLER includes sitting squarely facing the client (S), open
posture when interacting with the client (O), leaning forward toward the client (L),
establishing eye contact (E), and relaxing (R).
An instructor is correcting a nursing students clinical worksheet. Which instructor
statement is the best example of effective feedback?
A. Why did you use the clients name on your clinical worksheet?
B. You were very careless to refer to your client by name on your clinical worksheet.
C. I noticed that you used the clients name in your written process recording. That is
a breach of confidentiality.
D. It is disappointing that after being told, you're still using client names on your
worksheet. - Answer-ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The instructors statement, I noticed that you used the clients name in
your written process recording, is an example of effective feedback. Feedback is a
method of communication to help others consider a modification of behavior.
Feedback should be descriptive, specific, and directed toward a behavior that the
person has the capacity to modify and should impart information rather than offer
advice or criticism.
After assertiveness training, a formerly passive client appropriately confronts a peer
in group therapy. The group leader states, Im so proud of you for being assertive.
You are so good! Which communication technique has the leader employed?
A. The nontherapeutic technique of giving approval
B. The nontherapeutic technique of interpreting
C. The therapeutic technique of presenting reality
D. The therapeutic technique of making observations - Answer-ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The group leader has employed the nontherapeutic technique of giving
approval. Giving approval implies that the nurse has the right to pass judgment on
whether the clients ideas or behaviors are good or bad. This creates a conditional
acceptance of the client.
What is the purpose of a nurse providing appropriate feedback?
A. To give the client good advice
B. To advise the client on appropriate behaviors
C. To evaluate the clients behavior
D. To give the client critical information - Answer-ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: The purpose of providing appropriate feedback is to give the client
critical information. Feedback should not be used to give advice or evaluate
behaviors.
