NCLEX questions therapeutic communication
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1ny6pz
A patient with a diagnosis of major
depression who has attempted suicide D
says to the nurse, "I should have died! Responding to the feelings expressed by
I've always been a failure. Nothing ever a patient is an effective therapeutic com-
goes right for me." Which response munication technique. The correct option
demonstrates therapeutic communica- is an example of the use of restating. The
tion? remaining options block communication
A "You have everything to live for." because they minimize the patient's ex-
B "Why do you see yourself as a failure?" perience and do not facilitate exploration
C "Feeling like this is all part of being of the patient's expressed feelings. In ad-
depressed." dition, use of the word "why" is nonther-
D. "You've been feeling like a failure for a apeutic.
while?"
C. "You're having difficulty sleeping?"
The correct option uses the therapeu-
When the community health nurse visits
tic communication technique of restate-
a patient at home, the patient states, "I
ment. Although restatement is a tech-
haven't slept the last couple of nights."
nique that has a prompting component
Which response by the nurse illustrates
to it, it repeats the patients major theme,
a therapeutic communication response
which assists the nurse to obtain a more
to this patient.
specific perception of the problem from
A "I see."
the patient. The remaining options are
B "Really?"
not therapeutic responses since none
C. "You're having difficulty sleeping?"
encourage the patient to expand on the
D "Sometimes, I have trouble sleeping
problem. Offering personal experiences
too."
moves the focus away from the patient
and onto the nurse.
A patient experiencing disturbed thought
processes believes that his food is being
poisoned. Which communication tech-
nique should the use to encourage the
patient to eat?
A Using open-ended questions and si- A
lence
B Sharing personal preference regarding
food choices
C Documenting reasons why the patient
does not want to eat
, NCLEX questions therapeutic communication
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D Offering opinions about the necessity
of adequate nutrition
A
Denial is refusal to admit to a painful real-
A patient admitted to a mental health
ity, which is treated as if it does not exist.
unit for treatment of psychotic behavior
In projection, a person unconsciously re-
spends hours at the locked exit door
jects emotionally unacceptable features
shouting. "Let me out. There's nothing
and attributes them to other persons,
wrong with me. I don't belong here."
objects, or situations. Regression allows
What defense mechanism is the patient
the patient to return to an earlier, more
implementing?
comforting, although less mature, way
A Denial
of behaving. Rationalization is justifying
B Projection
illogical or unreasonable ideas, actions,
C Regression
or feelings by developing acceptable ex-
D Rationalization
planations that satisfy the teller and the
listener.
A patient diagnosed with terminal cancer C
says to the nurse "I'm going to die, and Restating is a therapeutic communica-
I wish my family would stop hoping for tion technique in which the nurse repeats
a cure! I get so angry when they carry what the patient says to show under-
on like this. After all, I'm the one who's standing and to review what was said.
dying." Which response by the nurse is While it is appropriate for the nurse to
therapeutic? attempt to assess the patient's ability to
A "Have you shared your feelings with discuss feelings openly with family mem-
your family?" bers, it does not help the patient dis-
B "I think we should talk more about your cuss the feelings causing the anger. The
anger with your family." nurse's attempt to focus on the central
C "You're feeling angry that your family issue of anger is premature. The nurse
continues to hope for you to be cured?" would never make a judgment regarding
D "You are probably very depressed, the reason for the patient's feeling, this
which is understandable with such a di- is non-therapeutic in the one-to-one re-
agnosis." lationship.
D
On review of the patient's record, the
In general, patients seek voluntary ad-
nurse notes the admission was volun-
mission. If a patient seeks voluntary ad-
tary. Based on this information, the nurse
mission, the most likely expectations is
anticipates which patient behavior?
the patient will participate in the treat-
A Fearfulness regarding treatment mea-
ment program since they are actively
, NCLEX questions therapeutic communication
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1ny6pz
seeking help. The remaining options are
sures.
not characteristics of this type of ad-
B Anger and aggressiveness directed to-
mission. Fearfulness, anger, and aggres-
ward others.
siveness are more characteristic of an
C An understanding of the pathology and
involuntary admission. Voluntary admis-
symptoms of the diagnosis.
sion does not guarantee a patient's un-
D A willingness to participate in the plan-
derstanding of their illness, only of their
ning of the care and treatment plan.
desire for help.
A
In general, patients seek, voluntary ad-
mission. Voluntary patients have the right
to demand and obtain release. The nurse
needs to be familiar with the state and
facility policies and procedures. The best
nursing action is to contact the HCP, who
A patient admitted voluntarily for treat- has the authority to discuss discharge
ment of an anxiety disorder demands with the patient. While arranging for safe
to be released from the hospital. Which transportation is appropriate it is prema-
action should the nurse take INITIALLY? ture in this situation and should be done
A Contact the patient's health care only with the patient's' permission. While
provider (HCP). it is appropriate to discuss why the pa-
B Call the patient's family to arrange for tient feels the need to leave and the pos-
transportations. sible outcomes of leaving against med-
C Attempt to persuade the patient to stay ical advice, attempting to get the patient
for only a few more days. to agree to staying "a few more days" has
D Tell the patient that leaving would likely little value and will not likely be success-
result in an involuntary commitment. ful. Many states require that the patient
submit a written release notice to the fa-
cility staff members, who reevaluate the
patient's condition for possible conver-
sion to involuntary status if necessary,
according to criteria established by law.
While this is a possibility, it should not be
used as a threat to the patient.
When reviewing the admission assess-
ment, the nurse notes that a patient was A
admitted to the mental health unity invol- Involuntary admission is necessary
untarily. Based on this type of admission,
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1ny6pz
A patient with a diagnosis of major
depression who has attempted suicide D
says to the nurse, "I should have died! Responding to the feelings expressed by
I've always been a failure. Nothing ever a patient is an effective therapeutic com-
goes right for me." Which response munication technique. The correct option
demonstrates therapeutic communica- is an example of the use of restating. The
tion? remaining options block communication
A "You have everything to live for." because they minimize the patient's ex-
B "Why do you see yourself as a failure?" perience and do not facilitate exploration
C "Feeling like this is all part of being of the patient's expressed feelings. In ad-
depressed." dition, use of the word "why" is nonther-
D. "You've been feeling like a failure for a apeutic.
while?"
C. "You're having difficulty sleeping?"
The correct option uses the therapeu-
When the community health nurse visits
tic communication technique of restate-
a patient at home, the patient states, "I
ment. Although restatement is a tech-
haven't slept the last couple of nights."
nique that has a prompting component
Which response by the nurse illustrates
to it, it repeats the patients major theme,
a therapeutic communication response
which assists the nurse to obtain a more
to this patient.
specific perception of the problem from
A "I see."
the patient. The remaining options are
B "Really?"
not therapeutic responses since none
C. "You're having difficulty sleeping?"
encourage the patient to expand on the
D "Sometimes, I have trouble sleeping
problem. Offering personal experiences
too."
moves the focus away from the patient
and onto the nurse.
A patient experiencing disturbed thought
processes believes that his food is being
poisoned. Which communication tech-
nique should the use to encourage the
patient to eat?
A Using open-ended questions and si- A
lence
B Sharing personal preference regarding
food choices
C Documenting reasons why the patient
does not want to eat
, NCLEX questions therapeutic communication
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1ny6pz
D Offering opinions about the necessity
of adequate nutrition
A
Denial is refusal to admit to a painful real-
A patient admitted to a mental health
ity, which is treated as if it does not exist.
unit for treatment of psychotic behavior
In projection, a person unconsciously re-
spends hours at the locked exit door
jects emotionally unacceptable features
shouting. "Let me out. There's nothing
and attributes them to other persons,
wrong with me. I don't belong here."
objects, or situations. Regression allows
What defense mechanism is the patient
the patient to return to an earlier, more
implementing?
comforting, although less mature, way
A Denial
of behaving. Rationalization is justifying
B Projection
illogical or unreasonable ideas, actions,
C Regression
or feelings by developing acceptable ex-
D Rationalization
planations that satisfy the teller and the
listener.
A patient diagnosed with terminal cancer C
says to the nurse "I'm going to die, and Restating is a therapeutic communica-
I wish my family would stop hoping for tion technique in which the nurse repeats
a cure! I get so angry when they carry what the patient says to show under-
on like this. After all, I'm the one who's standing and to review what was said.
dying." Which response by the nurse is While it is appropriate for the nurse to
therapeutic? attempt to assess the patient's ability to
A "Have you shared your feelings with discuss feelings openly with family mem-
your family?" bers, it does not help the patient dis-
B "I think we should talk more about your cuss the feelings causing the anger. The
anger with your family." nurse's attempt to focus on the central
C "You're feeling angry that your family issue of anger is premature. The nurse
continues to hope for you to be cured?" would never make a judgment regarding
D "You are probably very depressed, the reason for the patient's feeling, this
which is understandable with such a di- is non-therapeutic in the one-to-one re-
agnosis." lationship.
D
On review of the patient's record, the
In general, patients seek voluntary ad-
nurse notes the admission was volun-
mission. If a patient seeks voluntary ad-
tary. Based on this information, the nurse
mission, the most likely expectations is
anticipates which patient behavior?
the patient will participate in the treat-
A Fearfulness regarding treatment mea-
ment program since they are actively
, NCLEX questions therapeutic communication
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1ny6pz
seeking help. The remaining options are
sures.
not characteristics of this type of ad-
B Anger and aggressiveness directed to-
mission. Fearfulness, anger, and aggres-
ward others.
siveness are more characteristic of an
C An understanding of the pathology and
involuntary admission. Voluntary admis-
symptoms of the diagnosis.
sion does not guarantee a patient's un-
D A willingness to participate in the plan-
derstanding of their illness, only of their
ning of the care and treatment plan.
desire for help.
A
In general, patients seek, voluntary ad-
mission. Voluntary patients have the right
to demand and obtain release. The nurse
needs to be familiar with the state and
facility policies and procedures. The best
nursing action is to contact the HCP, who
A patient admitted voluntarily for treat- has the authority to discuss discharge
ment of an anxiety disorder demands with the patient. While arranging for safe
to be released from the hospital. Which transportation is appropriate it is prema-
action should the nurse take INITIALLY? ture in this situation and should be done
A Contact the patient's health care only with the patient's' permission. While
provider (HCP). it is appropriate to discuss why the pa-
B Call the patient's family to arrange for tient feels the need to leave and the pos-
transportations. sible outcomes of leaving against med-
C Attempt to persuade the patient to stay ical advice, attempting to get the patient
for only a few more days. to agree to staying "a few more days" has
D Tell the patient that leaving would likely little value and will not likely be success-
result in an involuntary commitment. ful. Many states require that the patient
submit a written release notice to the fa-
cility staff members, who reevaluate the
patient's condition for possible conver-
sion to involuntary status if necessary,
according to criteria established by law.
While this is a possibility, it should not be
used as a threat to the patient.
When reviewing the admission assess-
ment, the nurse notes that a patient was A
admitted to the mental health unity invol- Involuntary admission is necessary
untarily. Based on this type of admission,
