Therapeutic Communication Nursing Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. During discharge teaching, a patient repeatedly returns to concerns about managing wound care alone. Which response best uses focusing?
“Why are you still worried after receiving instructions?”
“We have several other discharge topics to finish first.”
“You have already watched the wound-care demonstration.”
“Let’s look more closely at what feels hardest about doing the wound care yourself.”
2. A patient says, “I hear a voice telling me that the staff plan to poison me.” Which response is most therapeutic?
“I don’t hear the voice, but I understand that the experience is frightening. Are you being told to hurt yourself or anyone else?”
“There is no voice, so you need to ignore it.”
“What evidence do you have that the staff want to poison you?”
“The voice is probably caused by stress and will stop soon.”
3. A patient awaiting test results says, “If the news is bad, my family will fall apart.” Which response uses reflection?
“Have you told your family that?”
“Your family may be more resilient than you expect.”
“You’re worried about how the result could affect your family.”
“Let’s wait until the results arrive before discussing that.”
4. Why is routinely giving personal advice considered nontherapeutic in nurse-patient communication?
It can shift decision-making toward the nurse instead of supporting the patient’s informed choices.
It is appropriate only when the patient requests it twice.
It always violates professional confidentiality.
It prevents the nurse from asking any closed questions.
5. A patient says, “I barely slept because I kept thinking about tomorrow’s surgery.” Which response best demonstrates active listening?
“You were awake much of the night worrying about the surgery.”
“Most patients feel better once the surgery is over.”
“Did you take the sleep medication that was offered?”
“Try not to think about it until the surgeon arrives.”
6. An angry patient raises their voice at the nurses’ station and says no one is listening. What is the best initial response when there is no immediate attack underway?
Match the patient’s volume so the instructions can be heard clearly.
Explain that shouting is unacceptable before discussing the concern.
Use a calm tone, acknowledge the frustration, offer appropriate space, and ask what happened while maintaining safety.
Walk away without speaking until the patient becomes quiet.
7. A patient says, “Everyone would be better off without me.” What should the nurse say next?
“Your family would be devastated if you did anything.”
“You should focus on the people who need you.”
“You don’t truly mean that, do you?”
“Are you thinking about killing yourself or harming yourself?”
8. Near the end of a planned therapeutic relationship, a patient says, “You’re the only nurse I trust. I don’t want to work with anyone else.” Which response best supports therapeutic termination?
“You will trust the next nurse once you get to know them.”
“Ending our work together feels difficult. Let’s review what has helped and how you can use those supports with the next nurse.”
“Depending on one nurse is not healthy, so you need to move on.”
“I can arrange to stay involved informally after our scheduled work ends.”
9. A frightened patient asks, “Am I going to be okay?” The nurse does not yet know the prognosis. Which response avoids false reassurance?
“I can hear that you’re frightened. What concerns you most right now?”
“Try to stay positive while we wait for the results.”
“Of course—you are receiving excellent care.”
“The clinician will explain everything later.”
10. A patient says taking medication is important but has declined every scheduled dose today. Which response therapeutically presents the discrepancy?
“You are refusing treatment even though the medication is necessary.”
“Why say medication matters if you will not take it?”
“You’ve said the medication is important, and today you’ve chosen not to take it. Help me understand what is influencing that choice.”
“I’ll return when you are ready to cooperate with the plan.”
11. A patient with limited English proficiency needs to consent to a procedure. What approach best supports accurate therapeutic communication?
Ask an adult family member to translate the consent discussion.
Provide the form in English and ask the patient to sign after reviewing the diagrams.
Use simplified English and repeat each sentence until the patient agrees.
Arrange a qualified medical interpreter and address the patient directly.
12. A patient says, “Ever since they changed everything, I feel strange.” What is the best clarifying response?
“Medication changes often take time to adjust to.”
“You should mention that when the prescriber visits.”
“Do you mean you feel dizzy?”
“When you say ‘strange,’ what are you experiencing?”
13. Which response most clearly communicates empathy rather than sympathy?
“I feel so sorry for you.”
“This has been exhausting for you, and you want someone to understand.”
“I know exactly how you feel because I have experienced this too.”
“At least the most difficult part is probably behind you.”
14. Which opening is most likely to encourage a patient to describe a new health concern in their own words?
“Does the pain feel sharp?”
“What changes have you noticed since yesterday?”
“The medication has helped, hasn’t it?”
“Is the problem mainly pain or nausea?”
15. A former patient sends a nurse a social-media friend request shortly after discharge. What response best maintains a therapeutic boundary?
Accept it but avoid discussing health information online.
Do not accept the request, follow professional policy, and keep any necessary communication within approved care channels.
Accept it temporarily because the therapeutic relationship recently ended.
Ignore all future contact, including contact through approved clinical channels.
16. After telling the nurse about a recent loss, a patient becomes quiet and tearful. What is the most therapeutic initial response?
Change to a practical topic until the patient becomes composed.
Ask several questions to prevent the patient from dwelling on the loss.
Remain present and allow a brief period of silence.
Describe a personal experience of grief to fill the silence.