Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What are the goals of therapeutic communication?
A. Foster a social relationship.
While fostering a social relationship can be a part of therapeutic communication, it is not the primary goal. The main focus is on the client’s needs and concerns.
B. Focus on the attitude of the client.
Focusing on the attitude of the client is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The main goal is to understand the client’s experiences and feelings.
C. Focus on the client and to build a rapport.
The primary goals of therapeutic communication are to focus on the client and to build a rapport. This involves understanding the client’s needs, concerns, and emotions effectively.
D. Focus on the staff member and to build rapport.
Focusing on the staff member and building rapport is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The main focus should be on the client.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Lpn Ati Mental Health Psychosocial Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
While fostering a social relationship can be a part of therapeutic communication, it is not the primary goal. The main focus is on the client’s needs and concerns.
Choice B rationale
Focusing on the attitude of the client is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The main goal is to understand the client’s experiences and feelings.
Choice C rationale
The primary goals of therapeutic communication are to focus on the client and to build a rapport. This involves understanding the client’s needs, concerns, and emotions effectively.
Choice D rationale
Focusing on the staff member and building rapport is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The main focus should be on the client.
Similar Questions
A spouse brings a client to an extremely busy emergency department due to erratic behavior and expressions of despair.
When the triage registered nurse asks if the client feels suicidal now, the client shrugs their shoulders. Based on these findings, which nursing responsibility is the practical nurse expected to be assigned?
A. Ask the client to make a verbal contract to not harm self.
While making a verbal contract not to harm oneself can be a part of suicide prevention strategies, it is not the immediate responsibility in this scenario. The client’s erratic behavior and expressions of despair indicate a high level of distress and potential risk for self-harm.
B. Return the client to the waiting room with the spouse.
Returning the client to the waiting room with the spouse does not ensure the client’s safety. The spouse may not be equipped to manage the client’s current emotional state, and the busy environment of the waiting room may exacerbate the client’s distress.
C. Document that the client is not currently suicidal.
Documenting that the client is not currently suicidal is not appropriate in this situation. The client’s non-verbal cues (shrugging their shoulders when asked about suicidal thoughts) may indicate ambivalence or uncertainty about their intent to harm themselves.
D. Place the client in an inside hallway with one-on-one observation.
Placing the client in an inside hallway with one-on-one observation is the most appropriate action. This ensures the client’s safety, allows for continuous monitoring of the client’s condition, and provides an opportunity for further assessment and intervention.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
While making a verbal contract not to harm oneself can be a part of suicide prevention strategies, it is not the immediate responsibility in this scenario. The client’s erratic behavior and expressions of despair indicate a high level of distress and potential risk for self-harm.
Choice B rationale
Returning the client to the waiting room with the spouse does not ensure the client’s safety. The spouse may not be equipped to manage the client’s current emotional state, and the busy environment of the waiting room may exacerbate the client’s distress.
Choice C rationale
Documenting that the client is not currently suicidal is not appropriate in this situation. The client’s non-verbal cues (shrugging their shoulders when asked about suicidal thoughts) may indicate ambivalence or uncertainty about their intent to harm themselves.
Choice D rationale
Placing the client in an inside hallway with one-on-one observation is the most appropriate action. This ensures the client’s safety, allows for continuous monitoring of the client’s condition, and provides an opportunity for further assessment and intervention.
A client who recently went through an upsetting divorce is threatening to commit suicide with a handgun. The client is voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit.
Which of the following nursing diagnoses has the highest priority?
A. Ineffective coping related to inadequate stress management.
While ineffective coping related to inadequate stress management is a valid nursing diagnosis, it is not the highest priority in this scenario. The client’s threat to commit suicide with a handgun indicates a clear and immediate risk.
B. Hopelessness related to recent divorce.
Hopelessness related to recent divorce is a significant concern and may contribute to the client’s suicidal ideation. However, the immediate threat of suicide takes precedence.
C. Spiritual distress related to conflicting thoughts about suicide and sin.
Spiritual distress related to conflicting thoughts about suicide and sin may be a factor in the client’s mental state, but it is not the immediate concern. The client’s life is in danger, which must be addressed first.
D. Risk for suicide related to highly lethal plan.
Risk for suicide related to a highly lethal plan is the highest priority nursing diagnosis. The client has a clear plan (using a handgun) and means (access to a handgun), indicating a high risk for suicide.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
While ineffective coping related to inadequate stress management is a valid nursing diagnosis, it is not the highest priority in this scenario. The client’s threat to commit suicide with a handgun indicates a clear and immediate risk.
Choice B rationale
Hopelessness related to recent divorce is a significant concern and may contribute to the client’s suicidal ideation. However, the immediate threat of suicide takes precedence.
Choice C rationale
Spiritual distress related to conflicting thoughts about suicide and sin may be a factor in the client’s mental state, but it is not the immediate concern. The client’s life is in danger, which must be addressed first.
Choice D rationale
Risk for suicide related to a highly lethal plan is the highest priority nursing diagnosis. The client has a clear plan (using a handgun) and means (access to a handgun), indicating a high risk for suicide.
What are the goals of therapeutic communication?
A. Foster a social relationship.
While fostering a social relationship can be a part of therapeutic communication, it is not the primary goal. Therapeutic communication in nursing is patient-centered and should involve a holistic approach, including aspects of psychological, physiological, spiritual, and environmental care of the patient.
B. Focus on the attitude of the client.
Focusing on the attitude of the client is not the main goal of therapeutic communication. While understanding the client’s attitude can provide valuable insights into their feelings and perspectives, the primary goal is to build a rapport and focus on the client.
C. Focus on the client and build a rapport.
Focusing on the client and building a rapport is the main goal of therapeutic communication in nursing. It helps nurses build trust with patients while also helping establish collaborative efforts to promote efficient and effective patient care, improving patient outcomes.
D. Focus on the staff member and build rapport.
Focusing on the staff member and building rapport is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The focus should be on the client, their needs, and their experiences.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
While fostering a social relationship can be a part of therapeutic communication, it is not the primary goal. Therapeutic communication in nursing is patient-centered and should involve a holistic approach, including aspects of psychological, physiological, spiritual, and environmental care of the patient.
Choice B rationale
Focusing on the attitude of the client is not the main goal of therapeutic communication. While understanding the client’s attitude can provide valuable insights into their feelings and perspectives, the primary goal is to build a rapport and focus on the client.
Choice C rationale
Focusing on the client and building a rapport is the main goal of therapeutic communication in nursing. It helps nurses build trust with patients while also helping establish collaborative efforts to promote efficient and effective patient care, improving patient outcomes.
Choice D rationale
Focusing on the staff member and building rapport is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The focus should be on the client, their needs, and their experiences.