MH Prep U CH 6
The nurse is using a directive role when asking a client which question?
"Are you thinking about hurting someone else right now?" Explanation: A directive role is used when the nurse needs to ask yes or no questions and uses problem solving to help the client develop new coping mechanisms to deal with here-and-now issues. Often in these cases there can be a risk to safety, calling for a directive approach. The alternative options are all open-ended and the nurse would use these if taking a nondirective role.
Which statement by the nurse demonstrates an understanding of the first step in helping a client learn the problem solving process?
"Can you explain to me what made you so angry?" Explanation: Identifying the problem (trigger for the anger) is the initial step in the problem solving process followed by brainstorming all possible solutions (different ways to manage the anger). Selecting the best alternative, implementing the selected alternation, and then evaluating the situation are the remaining steps in the process.
The client tells the nurse, "My mom is coming in to see me today," while sighing and looking out the window. The nurse states, "You don't seem very excited about the visit, is everything OK?" The client affirms. Using therapeutic communication, how should the nurse respond?
"I'm concerned that you are not exicited about your mother's visit, We can talk if you want." Explanation: Therapeutic communication is an interpersonal interaction between the nurse and the client during which the nurse focuses on the client's needs to promote an effective exchange of information. Skilled use of therapeutic communication techniques helps the nurse understand and empathize with the client's experience. "Why are you sad about your mother's visit?," "I need to know why you are sad" and "Is your mother giving you trouble for being here?" are not examples of therapeutic communication.
A client on the psychiatric mental health unit has a care plan that includes a break for cigarettes every hour during the afternoon if the client follows the behavioral plan to attend the morning group on anger management. The client asks, "I couldn't get to my group this morning because I overslept. Can I just this one time go for a cigarette now?" Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
"No, Joe. Your plan says that you need to attend that group in order to have cigarette breaks." Explanation: Setting firm but fair limits in a matter-of-fact and consistent manner helps clients to establish appropriate boundaries and can increase feelings of security. The nurse describes the client's unacceptable behavior, communicates expected behavior, and offers acceptable alternatives, such as walking with the nurse, talking about feelings and thoughts, or participating in recreational therapy.
A client is speaking with the nurse about the client's difficult relationship with the client's father. The client states, "He never showed me love or approval unless I was perfect." Which response is most likely to encourage the client to continue elaborating?
"Tell me more about that." Explanation: Inviting the client to continue to elaborate on the topic by stating "tell me more about that" offers the nurse a brief statement with which exploring can take plac
The nurse educator is teaching the class about communication. Which statement by the student nurse best describes the basic elements of communication?
"The basic elements of communication include feedback, sender, receiver, and messages." Explanation: Communication includes the elements of sender delivers the message, messages are the content of the communication, receiver receives and decodes the message, and feedback is the message returned by the receiver and indicates whether the sender's message was understood. Flow, expression, and gesture are not included in the basic elements of communication.
A nurse needs to encourage a client who is Hispanic and has severe depression to express the client's feelings. What distance between the nurse and the client may help facilitate therapeutic communication?
3 to 6 feet Explanation: A distance of approximately 3 to 6 feet may help facilitate good therapeutic interaction between the client who is Hispanic and the nurse. People from some cultures, including Hispanics, are more comfortable with less than 4 to 12 feet of space between them when talking. A distance of 10 to 12 inches or 15 to 18 inches is considered the intimate communication zone, which may make the nurse and client feel uncomfortable. A distance of 15 to 18 feet between the nurse and the client is considered the public communication zone, which is unlikely to facilitate therapeutic communication.
A nurse engaged in an interaction with a client recognizes body space zones. Which would the nurse identify as the individual's personal zone?
Beginning at the boundary of the intimate zone and ending at the social zone Explanation: The four zones are intimate, personal, social, and public. The personal zone begins at the boundary of the intimate zone and ends at the social zone. The intimate zone varies widely in different cultures. The social zone begins at the end of the personal zone and ends at the public zone. The public zone begins at the end of the social zone and extends outward.
Which statement by the nurse demonstrates an understanding of the first step in helping a client learn the problem solving process?
Can you explain to me what made you so angry?" Explanation: Identifying the problem (trigger for the anger) is the initial step in the problem solving process followed by brainstorming all possible solutions (different ways to manage the anger). Selecting the best alternative, implementing the selected alternation, and then evaluating the situation are the remaining steps in the process.
A client expresses to the nurse that the client has been unable to sleep due to work. The nurse asks the client, "Do you mean that the work in the office is causing stress, which is why you are not able to sleep?" Which type of therapeutic communication technique is this conversation indicative of?
Consensual validation Explanation: The nurse's statement indicates that the nurse is trying to create mutual understanding about the client's concern, to prevent any misunderstanding. This type of communication is an example of consensual validation. Accepting is a type of communication in which the nurse indicates receiving the message that the client wanted to convey. Broad openings are a type of communication through which the nurse tries to encourage the client to express his or her concerns and feelings. Encouraging comparison is a type of communication technique in which the nurse explains the similarities and differences in a situation that the client can relate to.
Which includes the circumstances or parts that clarify the meaning of the content of the message?
Context Explanation: Context includes the circumstances or parts that clarify the meaning of the content of the message. Process denotes all nonverbal messages that the speaker uses to give meaning and content to the message. Congruence occurs when the process and content agree. Proxemics is the study of distance zones between people during communication.
A client is speaking to the nurse and expressing dissatisfaction about the care that was provided to the client during a hospital stay. The nurse tells the client, "This is the best hospital in the state. You could not expect better care anywhere else." Which type of communication does this indicate?
Defending Explanation: The nurse's statement conveys that the nurse is trying to defend the hospital from the client's criticism. The nurse's statement may not change the client's feelings toward the hospital but may make the client shy away from communicating further. Agreeing is a type of communication technique through which the nurse indicates accord with the client. Challenging is a type of communication technique through which the nurse tries to obtain proof from the client. Belittling is a type of nontherapeutic conversation in which the nurse misjudges the degree of the client's discomfort.
Which verbal cue refers to accents on words or phrases that highlight the subject or give insight on the topic?
Emphasis Explanation: Emphasis refers to accents on words or phrases that highlight the subject or give insight on the topic. Tone can indicate whether someone is relaxed, agitated, or bored. Pitch carries from shrill and high to low and threatening. Intensity is the power, severity, and strength behind the words.
When the nurse states, "Tell me more about that," the nurse is utilizing which communication technique?
Exploring Explanation: Exploring is delving further into a subject or area. Focusing is concentrating on one simple point. Accepting is indicating reception. Formulating a plan of action is asking the client to consider kinds of behavior likely to be appropriate in future situations.
A group of students is reviewing the process of verbal communication. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which as the first component of the process?
Formulation of an idea Explanation: With verbal communication, typically the person formulates an idea, encodes a message, and then transmits the message with emotion. The message is then received and decoded, and a response is made.
Which communication technique involves giving encouragement to the client, enabling continuance of the conversation and indicting that the nurse is listening?
General leads Explanation: General leads give encouragement to continue. Focusing is concentrating on a single point. Accepting is indicating reception. Exploring is delving further into a subject or idea.
A client from which cultural background would most likely have an older family member present when discussing health issues with the nurse?
Korean Explanation: The nurse must understand the differences in how various cultures communicate. It helps to see how a person from another culture acts toward and speaks with others. Australia and many European cultures are individualistic; they value self-reliance and independence and focus on individual goals and achievements and so would be less likely to include others in the discussion. Other cultures, such as Chinese and Korean, are collectivistic, valuing the group and observing obligations that enhance the security of the group.
Which zone is a distance that is comfortable between family and friends who are talking?
Personal Explanation: The personal zone is the distance that is comfortable between family and friends who are talking. The intimate zone is the amount of space that is comfortable for parents with young children and people who mutually desire personal contact. The social zone is the distance acceptable for communication in social, work, and business settings. The public zone is an acceptable distance between a speaker and an audience.
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is engaging in active listening with a client. Which technique would the nurse most likely use? Select all that apply.
Responding indirectly to statements Using open-ended statements Concentrating fully on what the client says Explanation: Through active listening, the nurse focuses on what the client is saying to interpret and respond objectively to the message. While listening, the nurse concentrates only on what the client is saying and on the underlying meaning. The nurse usually responds indirectly, using techniques such as open-ended statements, reflection, and questions that elicit additional responses from the client. Changing the subject is avoided. Allowing the client to talk as the client wishes reflects passive listening, which does not foster a therapeutic relationship.
Which would not be considered a goal of therapeutic communication?
Self-exploration of feelings by the nurse Explanation: Self-exploration of feelings by the nurse is not considered a goal of therapeutic communication. Establishing rapport, active listening, and guiding the client in problem solving are goals of therapeutic communication.
Which type of touch, according to Knapp, is used in greeting, such as a handshake?
Social-polite Explanation: Social-polite touch is used in greeting, such as a handshake. Functional-professional touch is used in examination or procedures. Friendship-warmth touch involves a hug in a greeting. Love-intimacy touch involves tight hugs and kisses between lovers or close relatives.
A client with a history of depression has told the nurse that the client is feeling especially "low" this morning. The nurse has responded by stating, "Try thinking about some of the blessings you have in your life." How should the nurse's statement be best interpreted?
The nurse has inhibited therapeutic communication by giving advice Explanation: The nurse has blocked communication by giving advice. This action generally inhibits communication, whether or not it is preceded by assessment. This is not an example of challenging. The statement is inappropriate and simplistic but not necessarily a violation of beneficence and nonmaleficence.
Consensual validation Explanation: The nurse's statement indicates that the nurse is trying to create mutual understanding about the client's concern, to prevent any misunderstanding. This type of communication is an example of consensual validation. Accepting is a type of communication in which the nurse indicates receiving the message that the client wanted to convey. Broad openings are a type of communication through which the nurse tries to encourage the client to express his or her concerns and feelings. Encouraging comparison is a type of communication technique in which the nurse explains the similarities and differences in a situation that the client can relate to.
The nurse has inhibited therapeutic communication by giving advice Explanation: The nurse has blocked communication by giving advice. This action generally inhibits communication, whether or not it is preceded by assessment. This is not an example of challenging. The statement is inappropriate and simplistic but not necessarily a violation of beneficence and nonmaleficence.
Which is an inaccurate depiction of concrete messages?
They require rephrasing of unclear statements. Explanation: Concrete messages do not require rephrasing of unclear word patterns. Therefore, this is the inaccurate statement that the question asks for. Concrete messages are easy to understand, there is no need for interpretation, and concrete messages elicit more accurate responses than do abstract messages.
A psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nurse is mentoring a newly hired psychiatric-mental health nurse and role modeling therapeutic communication techniques. The advanced practice nurse observes the new nurse and determines the need for additional role modeling when the new nurse uses which technique? Select all that apply.
advice reassurance disapproval Explanation: Techniques that inhibit communication include advice, reassurance, and disapproval. Therapeutic communication techniques include the use of silence and validation.
A group of nursing students is role playing situations to practice using therapeutic communication techniques. What would the students identify as verbal communication?
emotion underlying the words Explanation: Verbal communication, which is principally achieved by spoken words, includes the underlying emotion, context, and connotation of what is actually said. Nonverbal communication includes gestures, expressions, and body language.
A nursing student is caring for a client who has been arrested for child abuse. The nurse is very curious about what the client must have done to get into so much trouble, so the nurse asks the client to tell the nurse about the various activities that got the client arrested. This is an example of:
excessive probing. Explanation: Excessive probing is usually nontherapeutic, except in the process of collecting a history. The here and- now is what the client is experiencing and what the nurse can assist the client in changing.
Which is often considered the most difficult yet most effective communication technique?
silence Explanation: Although restating, reflecting, and clarifying are effective therapeutic communication techniques, one of the most difficult but often most effective communication techniques is the use of silence during verbal interactions. By maintaining silence, a nurse allows the client to gather thoughts and to proceed at his or her own pace.
A nurse reviews a client's psychiatric and medical history before approaching the client for an assessment. The history reveals the client has a history of sexual abuse from a caregiver in early adolescence. Which zone would be the best place for the nurse to sit the nurse to begin the assessment?
social Explanation: The client has a known history of sexual abuse. Clients with a history of abuse have had others touch them in harmful, hurtful ways, usually without their consent. This client may be hesitant or even unable to tell the nurse when closeness or touch are uncomfortable. The most appropriate position for the nurse would be to sit in the social zone while conducting the assessment. The nurse would be sitting 4-12 feet away from the client. The intimate zone would only leave 0-18 inches between the client and the nurse. This would not be appropriate, particularly given the client's history of sexual abuse. The personal zone leaves only 18-36 inches between the nurse and client. It would be more appropriately used between two people who know each other well. The public zone leaves 12-25 feet between the nurse and client. This distance is too far to carry out an assessment and may, in fact, compromise confidentiality.
The nurse is caring for a client who is very confused. In addition to verbal communication with the client, which intervention should the nurse use?
using gentle touch during activities of daily living Explanation: The nurse should supplement verbal communication with therapeutic nonverbal communication, including gentle touch, to reinforce caring feelings for the confused client. Providing instructions for feeding oneself and speaking louder are aspects of verbal communication and, in addition, would not be helpful. Displaying a flat affect is not an aspect of therapeutic nonverbal communication.
