Therapeutic and Nontherapeutic Communication

When communicating with adolescents, which consideration is most important in helping them to achieve independence?

Respecting privacy The nurse must communicate with the adolescent in a way that respects privacy and confidentiality since the patient is striving for independence from his or her parents.

Which therapeutic technique is Lucy using when she states to Mr. Hanson, "So, the depression started roughly five years ago when your wife left you." CASE STUDY DETAILS

Restating Restating occurs when the nurse repeats the patient's words to show understanding. Lucy repeats Mr. Hanson's words to show she understood what he said about his depression.

Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse demonstrating when he states, "Are you sure you stayed up for three days straight?"

Voicing doubt The nurse is disclosing uncertainty regarding the patient's statement. This is known as voicing doubt that occurs in the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship.

Which statement is an ineffective response made by the nurse?

"Don't worry; you're going to be fine." The nurse is offering reassuring clichés that discount the patient's feelings and thwarts communication. This is an ineffective therapeutic technique.

Which therapeutic statement made by the nurse reinforces healthy patient behaviors?

"I am proud of you for staying calm when you were provoked." This statement demonstrates the nurse providing positive reinforcement when the patient makes a healthy decision.

Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the therapeutic technique of confronting?

"I know this is challenging, but you have to make a decision." This statement exemplifies the technique of confronting where the nurse challenges the patient's inactivity in a supportive way.

Which statement made by the nurse is ineffective because it offers approval?

"You should have told your son-in-law to be more considerate." This statement offers approval to the patient in an ineffective manner.

An aggressive psychiatric patient is admitted to the unit for a short-term stay and refuses to allow the nurse to complete the assessment. When should the nurse complete the patient assessment?

After the patient calms down The nurse can wait for the aggressive patient to calm down before completing the assessment.

Which action by the nurse violates the nurse-patient boundary?

Bringing the patient a casserole from home Bringing the patient a casserole from home violates the nurse-patient boundary because this moves the relationship to a more personal level.

Which techniques must the nurse use when communicating with psychiatric patients about legal matters?

Clarity The nurse communicates with the patient in a direct and clear manner regarding legal matters. The nurse uses clarity to communicate with the psychiatric patient. Honesty The nurse communicates in an honest manner when discussing legal matters with the psychiatric patient. Openness The nurse is open when communicating with psychiatric patients about legal matters. Consistency The nurse must communicate in a consistent manner with psychiatric patients to gain their trust. This is particularly true when discussing legal matters.

Which is a behavior of a difficult psychiatric patient?

Denial Denial exhibited by the patient regarding his or her mental health issues is an example of a difficult patient behavior.

Which phase of the therapeutic process does Lucy demonstrate when she states, "Hello, Mr. Hanson. My name is Lucy, and I will be one of the nurses caring for you during your stay." CASE STUDY DETAILS

Orientation Introducing oneself occurs during the orientation phase.

Which action must the nurse take in order to maintain therapeutic communication with a difficult patient

Put aside personal frustrations

Patients who consciously or unconsciously maintain a lack of awareness of their problems are exhibiting which barrier to therapeutic communication?

Resistance Resistance is the conscious or unconscious lack of awareness of one's own problems. Resistance poses a barrier to therapeutic communication.

Which therapeutic communication techniques should the nurse use with a psychiatric patient who experiences cognitive deficits?

Speak clearly The nurse must speak clearly to the psychiatric patient with cognitive deficits since complex language may be difficult for the patient to understand. Use concrete terms The nurse must use simple, concrete terms when speaking to psychiatric patients with cognitive deficits because these patients may be unable to follow language that is elaborate. Encourage questions Since psychiatric patients with cognitive deficits have difficulty processing information, the nurse should encourage questions to help ensure the patient understands the information presented.

What should the nurse do to maintain therapeutic communication with a visually impaired patient?

Speak in soft tones Speaking in soft tones will prevent the patient from becoming startled when the nurse approaches. Use descriptive language Using descriptive language will help the patient visualize what he or she cannot see. Approach the patient slowly The nurse who approaches a visually impaired patient should do so slowly so as not to startle the patient.

Which situations may cause the nurse to violate boundaries with a patient?

Spending a lot of time with patients Nurses who spend a lot of time with patients are likely to violate patient boundaries because the professional relationship becomes blurred. Seeing the patient at irregular hours Nurses who spend time with patients outside regular hours, such as the night shift, are at risk for violating patient boundaries because the interaction is not under supervision like it would be during the day shift. Interacting with patients in a non-treatment setting Nurses who interact with patients in a non-treatment setting are more likely to violate boundaries with the patient.

Which phase of the therapeutic process is demonstrated when the nurse reinforces healthy patient behaviors?

Termination During the termination phase, the nurse offers positive reinforcement when the patient engages in self-improvement techniques.

Match the therapeutic technique with its description.

The nurse uncovers the important points alluded to in conversation - FOCUSING The nurse asks specific questions to zone in on a patients point - CLARIFYING The nurse states what is seen and heard - STATING OBSERVATIONS The nurse asks the patient for similarities and differences in feelings - ENCOURAGING COMPARISONS

Which statement is true regarding cultural competence?

The nurse who manages the differences among patients is culturally competent. Nurses who recognize and manage the cultural differences in patients are culturally competent.

The patient tells the nurse, "I'm going to call you Stella because you remind me so much of my granddaughter." Which barrier to therapeutic communication is the patient displaying?

Transference Transference occurs when the patient unconsciously associates the nurse with another person, typically someone significant in his or her life. The statement made by the patient demonstrates transference.