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NCLEX · Mental Health Concepts

Which describes the BEST approach to maintaining a therapeutic nurse-client relationship?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Maintaining professional boundaries while showing empathy, respect, and consistency

  1. A Becoming the client's personal friend
  2. B Sharing personal problems with the client to seem relatable
  3. C Maintaining professional boundaries while showing empathy, respect, and consistency
  4. D Making decisions for the client to reduce their stress

Why this is the answer

A therapeutic nurse-client relationship is built on professional boundaries combined with empathy, respect, trust, and consistency, with the focus kept on the client's needs and goals. The nurse avoids crossing boundaries — such as sharing personal problems, becoming a personal friend, or taking over the client's decisions — which would shift focus away from the client and undermine the relationship. Supporting the client's autonomy and maintaining appropriate boundaries are central to the therapeutic relationship. Understanding the boundaries and qualities of the therapeutic relationship is a core psychosocial concept. (Verify against current NCLEX prep materials.)
Source: NCLEX-PN Psychosocial — Therapeutic Relationship

Practice more questions

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About this topic: Mental Health Concepts

Mental health concepts cover anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders and personality disorders — the signs, the priority nursing concerns (safety first) and the therapeutic approach. This is one of 18 PN: Psychosocial Integrity questions on mental health concepts, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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