NURS 222 Mental Health Final Exam
Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales | Instant Pdf Download 2026
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Therapeutic Relationship
(Questions 1–10)
1. Which nursing statement is an example of therapeutic
communication using the technique of "clarification"?
A. "Tell me more about how you are feeling."
B. "I am not sure I understand what you mean by 'they are watching
me.'"
C. "It sounds like you are feeling sad."
D. "Let's focus on one problem at a time."
Correct Answer: B – Clarification seeks to understand the patient's
message by asking for validation; option B asks the patient to explain
their meaning.
2. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is hiding
cameras in my room to steal my thoughts." Which is the most
therapeutic response?
A. "That's not true. No one is hiding cameras."
,B. "I don't see any cameras, but I understand you believe that."
C. "You need to take your medication so these thoughts stop."
D. "Why do you think the FBI would do that?"
Correct Answer: B – The nurse acknowledges the patient's belief
without reinforcing the delusion (validation without agreement).
Challenging the delusion (A) increases anxiety; asking "why" (D) is
nontherapeutic.
3. Which of the following is a nontherapeutic communication
technique?
A. Offering self
B. Giving advice
C. Restating
D. Exploring
Correct Answer: B – Giving advice implies the nurse knows what is best
and undermines the patient's autonomy; it is a nontherapeutic
technique.
4. A patient states, "I don't think I can ever be happy again after my
husband died." The nurse responds, "Everyone feels sad after losing
a loved one." This is an example of:
A. Validation
B. Empathy
C. False reassurance
D. Trivializing (cliché)
,Correct Answer: D – Trivializing (using clichés) minimizes the patient's
unique feelings and is nontherapeutic.
5. The phase of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship in which
the nurse and patient identify problems and set goals is the:
A. Preorientation phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Correct Answer: B – The orientation phase involves establishing rapport,
setting goals, and defining the framework of the relationship.
6. A patient tells the nurse, "You are the only one who really
understands me." This is an example of:
A. Transference
B. Countertransference
C. Resistance
D. Boundary violation
Correct Answer: A – Transference occurs when the patient
unconsciously displaces feelings about a significant person onto the
nurse.
7. Which of the following is a goal of the termination phase of the
therapeutic relationship?
A. Identify problems
B. Establish trust
C. Review progress and discuss feelings about ending
, D. Set mutual goals
Correct Answer: C – The termination phase involves summarizing
progress, reinforcing coping skills, and addressing feelings about
termination.
8. A patient who is angry shouts, "You never listen to me!" Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "I always listen to you. That's not fair."
B. "You sound angry. Tell me more about that."
C. "If you don't calm down, I will leave."
D. "You never listen to me either."
Correct Answer: B – The nurse acknowledges the patient's emotion
(anger) and invites further discussion without being defensive.
9. Which of the following best describes empathy?
A. Feeling sorry for the patient
B. Understanding the patient's feelings from their perspective
C. Agreeing with the patient's decisions
D. Sharing personal experiences with the patient
Correct Answer: B – Empathy is the ability to understand and share the
feelings of another from their perspective; sympathy is feeling sorry for
them.
10. A patient says, "I want to die." Which is the most appropriate
nurse response?
A. "Don't say that. You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of killing yourself?"
Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales | Instant Pdf Download 2026
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Therapeutic Relationship
(Questions 1–10)
1. Which nursing statement is an example of therapeutic
communication using the technique of "clarification"?
A. "Tell me more about how you are feeling."
B. "I am not sure I understand what you mean by 'they are watching
me.'"
C. "It sounds like you are feeling sad."
D. "Let's focus on one problem at a time."
Correct Answer: B – Clarification seeks to understand the patient's
message by asking for validation; option B asks the patient to explain
their meaning.
2. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is hiding
cameras in my room to steal my thoughts." Which is the most
therapeutic response?
A. "That's not true. No one is hiding cameras."
,B. "I don't see any cameras, but I understand you believe that."
C. "You need to take your medication so these thoughts stop."
D. "Why do you think the FBI would do that?"
Correct Answer: B – The nurse acknowledges the patient's belief
without reinforcing the delusion (validation without agreement).
Challenging the delusion (A) increases anxiety; asking "why" (D) is
nontherapeutic.
3. Which of the following is a nontherapeutic communication
technique?
A. Offering self
B. Giving advice
C. Restating
D. Exploring
Correct Answer: B – Giving advice implies the nurse knows what is best
and undermines the patient's autonomy; it is a nontherapeutic
technique.
4. A patient states, "I don't think I can ever be happy again after my
husband died." The nurse responds, "Everyone feels sad after losing
a loved one." This is an example of:
A. Validation
B. Empathy
C. False reassurance
D. Trivializing (cliché)
,Correct Answer: D – Trivializing (using clichés) minimizes the patient's
unique feelings and is nontherapeutic.
5. The phase of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship in which
the nurse and patient identify problems and set goals is the:
A. Preorientation phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Correct Answer: B – The orientation phase involves establishing rapport,
setting goals, and defining the framework of the relationship.
6. A patient tells the nurse, "You are the only one who really
understands me." This is an example of:
A. Transference
B. Countertransference
C. Resistance
D. Boundary violation
Correct Answer: A – Transference occurs when the patient
unconsciously displaces feelings about a significant person onto the
nurse.
7. Which of the following is a goal of the termination phase of the
therapeutic relationship?
A. Identify problems
B. Establish trust
C. Review progress and discuss feelings about ending
, D. Set mutual goals
Correct Answer: C – The termination phase involves summarizing
progress, reinforcing coping skills, and addressing feelings about
termination.
8. A patient who is angry shouts, "You never listen to me!" Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "I always listen to you. That's not fair."
B. "You sound angry. Tell me more about that."
C. "If you don't calm down, I will leave."
D. "You never listen to me either."
Correct Answer: B – The nurse acknowledges the patient's emotion
(anger) and invites further discussion without being defensive.
9. Which of the following best describes empathy?
A. Feeling sorry for the patient
B. Understanding the patient's feelings from their perspective
C. Agreeing with the patient's decisions
D. Sharing personal experiences with the patient
Correct Answer: B – Empathy is the ability to understand and share the
feelings of another from their perspective; sympathy is feeling sorry for
them.
10. A patient says, "I want to die." Which is the most appropriate
nurse response?
A. "Don't say that. You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of killing yourself?"
