Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
careful what you say." Which re-
sponse by the nurse would be
most therapeutic?
a. "Let's talk about something
other than the CIA."
b. "It sounds like you're con-
cerned about your privacy."
1. A patient says to the nurse, "I
dreamed I was stoned. When I
woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rest-
ed well." Which response should
the nurse use to clarify the pa-
tient's comment?
a. "It sounds as though you were
uncomfortable with the content
of your dream."
b. "I understand what you're say-
ing. Bad dreams leave me feeling
tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did
not get enough quality sleep last
night?"
d. "Can you give me an example
of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
2. A patient diagnosed with schizo-
phrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA
is monitoring us through the flu-
orescent lights in this room. Be
, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
ANS: D
The technique of clarification is therapeutic and helps
the nurse examine the meaning of the patient's state-
ment. Asking for a definition of "stoned" directly asks for
ANS: B
clarification. Restating that the patient is uncomfortable
with the dream's content is parroting, a non- It is important not to challenge the patient's beliefs, even
if they are unrealistic. Challenging undermines the pa-
therapeutic technique. The other responses fail to clarify
the meaning of the patient's comment. tient's trust in the nurse. The nurse should try to under-
stand the underlying feelings or thoughts the patient's
message conveys. The correct response uses the thera-
peutic technique of reflection. The other comments are
non-therapeutic. Asking to talk about something other
than the concern at hand is changing the subject. Saying
that the CIA is prohibited from operating in health care
facilities gives false reassurance. Stating that the patient
c. "The CIA is prohibited from op- has lost touch with reality is truthful, but uncompassion-
erating in health care facilities." ate.
, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
d. "You have lost touch with re-
ality, which is a symptom of your
illness."
3. The patient says, "My marriage ANS: B
is just great. My spouse and I al- Mixed messages involve the transmission of conflicting
ways agree." The nurse observes or incongruent messages by the speaker. The patient's
the patient's foot moving con- verbal message that all was well in the relationship was
tinuously as the patient twirls a modified by the nonverbal behaviors denoting anxiety.
shirt button. The conclusion the Data are not present to support the choice of the verbal
nurse can draw is that the pa- message being clear, explicit, or inadequate.
tient's communication is:
a. clear.
b. mixed.
c. precise.
d. inadequate.
4. A nurse interacts with a new- ANS: D
ly hospitalized patient. Select the "Ottering self" is a technique that should be used in
nurse's comment that applies the the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship.
communication technique of "of- Sitting with the patient, an example of "ottering self,"
fering self." helps to build trust and convey that the nurse cares about
a. "I've also had traumatic life ex- the patient. Two incorrect responses are inettective and
periences. Maybe it would help if non-therapeutic. The other incorrect response is thera-
I told you about them." peutic but is an example of "ottering hope."
b. "Why do you think you had so
much difficulty adjusting to this
change in your life?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after
getting accustomed to how this
unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a
, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
while to help you get comfortable
talking to me."
5. Which technique will best com- ANS: A
municate to a patient that the Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's un-
nurse is interested in listening? derstanding of what has been communicated. Restating
a. Restating a feeling or thought is an active listening technique. Judgments should be
the patient has expressed. suspended in a nurse-patient relationship. Close-ended
b. Asking a direct question, such questions such as "Did you feel angry?" ask for specific
as "Did you feel angry?" information rather than showing understanding. When
c. Making a judgment about the the nurse simply states that he or she understands the
patient's problem. patient's words, the patient has no way of measuring the
d. Saying, "I understand what understanding.
you're saying."
6. A patient discloses several con- ANS: C
cerns and associated feelings. If Asking, "Am I correct in understanding that..." permits
the nurse wants to seek clarifi- clarification to ensure that both the nurse and patient
cation, which comment would be share mutual understanding of the communication. Ask-
appropriate? ing about common elements encourages comparison
a. "What are the common ele- rather than clarification. The remaining responses are im-
ments here?" plied questions that suggest the nurse was not listening.
b. "Tell me again about your ex-
periences."
c. "Am I correct in understanding
that . . ."
d. "Tell me everything from the
beginning."
7. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't ANS: C
think I'll ever get out of here." Se- By asking if the patient does not believe that progress has
careful what you say." Which re-
sponse by the nurse would be
most therapeutic?
a. "Let's talk about something
other than the CIA."
b. "It sounds like you're con-
cerned about your privacy."
1. A patient says to the nurse, "I
dreamed I was stoned. When I
woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rest-
ed well." Which response should
the nurse use to clarify the pa-
tient's comment?
a. "It sounds as though you were
uncomfortable with the content
of your dream."
b. "I understand what you're say-
ing. Bad dreams leave me feeling
tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did
not get enough quality sleep last
night?"
d. "Can you give me an example
of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
2. A patient diagnosed with schizo-
phrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA
is monitoring us through the flu-
orescent lights in this room. Be
, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
ANS: D
The technique of clarification is therapeutic and helps
the nurse examine the meaning of the patient's state-
ment. Asking for a definition of "stoned" directly asks for
ANS: B
clarification. Restating that the patient is uncomfortable
with the dream's content is parroting, a non- It is important not to challenge the patient's beliefs, even
if they are unrealistic. Challenging undermines the pa-
therapeutic technique. The other responses fail to clarify
the meaning of the patient's comment. tient's trust in the nurse. The nurse should try to under-
stand the underlying feelings or thoughts the patient's
message conveys. The correct response uses the thera-
peutic technique of reflection. The other comments are
non-therapeutic. Asking to talk about something other
than the concern at hand is changing the subject. Saying
that the CIA is prohibited from operating in health care
facilities gives false reassurance. Stating that the patient
c. "The CIA is prohibited from op- has lost touch with reality is truthful, but uncompassion-
erating in health care facilities." ate.
, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
d. "You have lost touch with re-
ality, which is a symptom of your
illness."
3. The patient says, "My marriage ANS: B
is just great. My spouse and I al- Mixed messages involve the transmission of conflicting
ways agree." The nurse observes or incongruent messages by the speaker. The patient's
the patient's foot moving con- verbal message that all was well in the relationship was
tinuously as the patient twirls a modified by the nonverbal behaviors denoting anxiety.
shirt button. The conclusion the Data are not present to support the choice of the verbal
nurse can draw is that the pa- message being clear, explicit, or inadequate.
tient's communication is:
a. clear.
b. mixed.
c. precise.
d. inadequate.
4. A nurse interacts with a new- ANS: D
ly hospitalized patient. Select the "Ottering self" is a technique that should be used in
nurse's comment that applies the the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship.
communication technique of "of- Sitting with the patient, an example of "ottering self,"
fering self." helps to build trust and convey that the nurse cares about
a. "I've also had traumatic life ex- the patient. Two incorrect responses are inettective and
periences. Maybe it would help if non-therapeutic. The other incorrect response is thera-
I told you about them." peutic but is an example of "ottering hope."
b. "Why do you think you had so
much difficulty adjusting to this
change in your life?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after
getting accustomed to how this
unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a
, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions – Exam 1
while to help you get comfortable
talking to me."
5. Which technique will best com- ANS: A
municate to a patient that the Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's un-
nurse is interested in listening? derstanding of what has been communicated. Restating
a. Restating a feeling or thought is an active listening technique. Judgments should be
the patient has expressed. suspended in a nurse-patient relationship. Close-ended
b. Asking a direct question, such questions such as "Did you feel angry?" ask for specific
as "Did you feel angry?" information rather than showing understanding. When
c. Making a judgment about the the nurse simply states that he or she understands the
patient's problem. patient's words, the patient has no way of measuring the
d. Saying, "I understand what understanding.
you're saying."
6. A patient discloses several con- ANS: C
cerns and associated feelings. If Asking, "Am I correct in understanding that..." permits
the nurse wants to seek clarifi- clarification to ensure that both the nurse and patient
cation, which comment would be share mutual understanding of the communication. Ask-
appropriate? ing about common elements encourages comparison
a. "What are the common ele- rather than clarification. The remaining responses are im-
ments here?" plied questions that suggest the nurse was not listening.
b. "Tell me again about your ex-
periences."
c. "Am I correct in understanding
that . . ."
d. "Tell me everything from the
beginning."
7. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't ANS: C
think I'll ever get out of here." Se- By asking if the patient does not believe that progress has
