Test Bank for Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice - Communication and the Therapeutic Relationship Related

Review Test Bank for Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice - Communication and the Therapeutic Relationship related questions and content

A patient is talking to the nurse about the recent death of her grandmother. She is obviously very sad, and a tear rolls down her cheek as she talks. The nurse remembers how she felt when her own grandmother died the previous summer. The nurse puts her hand on the patient?s shoulder and says, 'This must be very difficult for you.' The nurse is demonstrating empathy based on which of the following?

  • A. The response comment reflects an attempt to communicate understanding of patient?s feelings.
  • B. The nurse?s response and use of reassuring touch reinforce the nurse?s concern for the patient.
  • C. The nurse demonstrates understanding of how the patient feels because of her own grandmother?s death.
  • D. The nurse?s statement expresses compassion and kindness toward the patient.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Empathy involves understanding and communicating the patient?s feelings. The nurse?s statement and touch reflect an attempt to convey understanding of the patient?s grief, aligning with empathy. Option C describes countertransference, and options B and D describe compassion but not the specific mechanism of empathy.