ISPN & CGFNS Therapeutic Communication in Psychiatric Nursing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The primary goal of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing is to:
- Gather data for the medical record
- Establish a trusting relationship that promotes patient healing (Correct answer)
- Advise patients on how to solve their problems
- Minimize patient anxiety during procedures
Correct answer: Establish a trusting relationship that promotes patient healing
Therapeutic communication focuses on building a trusting nurse-patient relationship that supports mental health recovery and patient wellbeing.
Question 2: When a nurse says 'You mentioned feeling overwhelmed — tell me more about that,' which technique is being used?
- Giving information
- Restating
- Exploring (Correct answer)
- Summarizing
Correct answer: Exploring
Exploring encourages the patient to elaborate on a topic by inviting them to delve deeper into their thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
Question 3: A patient states 'I don't know if I can go on.' The MOST therapeutic nurse response is:
- I'm sure you'll feel better soon.
- Everyone feels that way sometimes.
- Are you thinking about harming yourself? (Correct answer)
- Let's focus on the positive things in your life.
Correct answer: Are you thinking about harming yourself?
When a patient's statement may indicate suicidal ideation, the nurse must directly assess safety by asking about thoughts of self-harm.
Question 4: Which of the following is a NON-THERAPEUTIC communication technique?
- Using therapeutic silence
- Giving false reassurance (Correct answer)
- Reflecting the patient's feelings
- Seeking clarification
Correct answer: Giving false reassurance
Giving false reassurance dismisses the patient's real concerns and closes off genuine communication by minimizing problems with empty comfort.
Question 5: The technique of 'focusing' in therapeutic communication is BEST described as:
- Asking multiple questions to explore all aspects of a problem simultaneously
- Directing the conversation to a specific theme or concern (Correct answer)
- Repeating the main points the patient has made
- Pausing to allow the patient to think in silence
Correct answer: Directing the conversation to a specific theme or concern
Focusing helps the patient concentrate on a specific topic that is particularly relevant to their care, preventing the conversation from becoming too diffuse.
Question 6: A nurse maintains appropriate eye contact, leans slightly toward the patient, and nods during the conversation. These behaviors are examples of:
- Verbal therapeutic techniques
- Non-therapeutic social mannerisms
- Therapeutic nonverbal communication (Correct answer)
- Boundary violations in psychiatric nursing
Correct answer: Therapeutic nonverbal communication
Therapeutic nonverbal communication — including appropriate eye contact, open body posture, and nodding — conveys attentiveness, respect, and genuine interest.
Question 7: When the nurse uses the technique of 'restating,' the nurse:
- Summarizes the main themes of the entire conversation
- Paraphrases the patient's message in different words
- Repeats the patient's exact words to prompt further elaboration (Correct answer)
- Reflects the emotional content of what the patient expressed
Correct answer: Repeats the patient's exact words to prompt further elaboration
Restating involves repeating the patient's own key words back to them to acknowledge what was said and encourage the patient to continue elaborating.
ISPN & CGFNS Therapeutic Communication in Psychiatric Nursing 1
The primary goal of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing is to: