🧠 THERACOM NCLEX TIPS — Therapeutic Communication
✅ CHOOSE THESE (Therapeutic)
Strategy Example Phrases Purpose
Silence
Ex.(Silent pause)
Purpose: Allows client to process thoughts
Open-ended
Ex. “Tell me more about that.”
Purpose: Encourages client expression
Reflection
Ex. “You seem frustrated.”
Purpose: Helps client feel heard
Validation
Ex. “That must be really difficult for you.”
Purpose: Validates feelings
Clarification
Ex. “Can you explain what you mean by that?”
Purpose: Clears up confusion
Restating
Ex. “You’re afraid of being alone?”
Purpose: Confirms what the client said
Focusing
Ex.“Let’s go back to what you said about feeling lost.”
Purpose: Keeps discussion on topic
Exploring
Ex. “Can you describe that feeling more?”
Purpose: Digs deeper into client’s emotions
❌ AVOID THESE (Non-Therapeutic)
What to Avoid Example Why It’s Wrong
False reassurance
Ex. “Everything will be fine.”
Purpose: Minimizes the client’s experience
Why questions
Ex. “Why did you do that?”
Purpose: Feels judgmental
Changing topic
Ex. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Purpose: Shuts down communication
Giving advice
Ex. “I think you should...”
Purpose: Removes client autonomy
Disapproval
Ex. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
Purpose: Invalidates emotions
Close-ended Qs
Ex. “Are you okay now?”
Purpose: Limits depth of client response
🗝️NCLEX KEYWORDS TO PICK
Pick answers that begin with:
“Tell me more...”
“You seem...”
“It sounds like...”
“Help me understand...”
“Can you explain further...”
“What I’m hearing is...”
“It must be difficult when...”
💬 SAMPLE NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. A client says, “I feel like giving up.” What’s the best response by the
nurse?
A. “Don’t say that, you have so much to live for.” ❌
B. “Why do you feel that way?” ❌
C. “You sound like you’re feeling hopeless.” ✅
D. “Let’s talk about something positive.” ❌
2. A newly diagnosed diabetic says, “I’ll never be able to do all this.”
What should the nurse say?
A. “Yes, it can be overwhelming at first. What part feels hardest
right now?” ✅
B. “If you just follow the instructions, you’ll be fine.” ❌
C. “Don’t worry, it’s easy once you get used to it.” ❌
D. “Why do you think that?” ❌
3. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices tell me I’m worthless.”
What’s the most therapeutic response?
A. “You are not worthless.” ❌
B. “Those voices aren’t real.” ❌
C. “It must be frightening to hear those voices.” ✅
D. “Try not to listen to them.” ❌
4. A client’s spouse died recently. The client says, “I still talk to him
when I’m alone.” What’s the best response?
A. “That’s not healthy. You need to move on.” ❌
B. “You should talk to a counselor about that.” ❌
C. “It sounds like you really miss your husband.” ✅
D. “Why do you keep doing that?” ❌
5. A teenager says, “I’m so ugly. No one will ever like me.” What’s the
best response?
A. “You’re not ugly! You look fine.” ❌
B. “It must be hard to feel that way about yourself.” ✅
C. “Maybe you should stop thinking like that.” ❌
D. “Don’t say that. You’re still young.” ❌
🧪 MORE THERACOM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
---
6. The client says, "I'm scared about my surgery tomorrow." What’s the
most therapeutic response?
A. "You’ll be fine. The doctor does this surgery all the time." ❌
B. "There's nothing to be scared of; it’ll be over before you know it." ❌
C. "Tell me more about what’s making you feel scared." ✅
D. "Let’s not think about that now, focus on getting rest." ❌
---
7. A client says, "I don’t think my life has any purpose anymore." Which
response is best?
A. "You shouldn’t feel that way." ❌
B. "Do you have thoughts of harming yourself?" ✅ (This is therapeutic and
safety-focused)
C. "You're just tired. You’ll feel better tomorrow." ❌
D. "Why would you say something like that?" ❌
---
8. After a diagnosis of cancer, the client says, "I don’t want to die." What’s
the best response?
A. "You should stay positive!" ❌
B. "Let’s talk about treatment options." ❌
C. "It sounds like you're afraid. Can you tell me more?" ✅
D. "Many people survive cancer." ❌
---
9. The client tells the nurse, "I hate being in this hospital." What’s the
most therapeutic response?
A. "No one likes being here." ❌
B. "Why do you feel that way?" ❌
C. "Tell me what it’s like for you to be here." ✅
D. "Try to think about going home soon." ❌
---
10. The client says, "If I weren’t here, no one would miss me." What
should the nurse do first?
A. "That’s not true; your family cares about you." ❌
B. "You sound really alone. Are you thinking of hurting yourself?" ✅
C. "Don’t say that. You have lots of people who love you." ❌
D. "You need to stop thinking negatively." ❌
---
11. The client cries and says, "I can’t take this anymore." How should the
nurse respond?
A. "Let’s talk about something else to distract you." ❌
B. "It must be very difficult for you. I’m here to listen." ✅
C. "Why are you saying that?" ❌
D. "You need to stay strong for your family." ❌
---
12. The client says, "I miss my husband so much. He died last year." Best
response?
A. "He’s in a better place now." ❌
B. "You’ll feel better with time." ❌
C. "It sounds like you’re still grieving deeply." ✅
D. "Don’t worry. You're not alone." ❌
---
13. The client says, "I'm just so angry all the time." What should the nurse
say?
A. "Anger is a waste of energy." ❌
B. "You should calm down." ❌
C. "Can you tell me what’s been making you feel angry?" ✅
D. "Why are you angry?" ❌
---
14. A confused client says, "I need to go home to feed my kids!" What’s
the best response?
A. "You’re in the hospital and your kids are fine." ❌
B. "You’re confused. Stay in your room." ❌
C. "You’re safe here. Tell me more about your children." ✅
D. "You’ve already fed them earlier today." ❌
---
15. A client says, "I can’t stop thinking about the accident." Best
response?
A. "Try not to dwell on the past." ❌
B. "Can you share what’s on your mind about the accident?" ✅
C. "It wasn’t your fault." ❌
D. "Don’t talk about it if it upsets you." ❌
