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The nurse cares for a patient with a terminal illness. Which way would be the most therapeutic for the nurse to communicate with this patient?
- A. Use an honest, judgmental attitude.
- B. Demonstrate understanding with empathy.
- C. Acknowledge hope by expressions of sympathy.
- D. Consistently evaluate the patient's feelings.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Demonstrate understanding with empathy. This approach is the most therapeutic as it shows the nurse's genuine care and support for the patient, fostering a sense of trust and emotional connection. By empathizing, the nurse validates the patient's feelings and provides comfort without judgment.
A: Using an honest, judgmental attitude can be harmful and create a barrier in the nurse-patient relationship.
C: Acknowledging hope by expressions of sympathy is important but may not address the patient's immediate emotional needs.
D: Consistently evaluating the patient's feelings is important, but without demonstrating empathy, it may come across as clinical and detached.
In summary, choice B is the best approach as it prioritizes empathy and understanding, essential components in providing effective therapeutic communication.
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The nurse caring for a patient who is concerned about her 10-pound weight loss relative to her chemotherapy tells the patient, "Lucky you! Every cloud has a silver lining." The nurse's statement is an example of which type of communication block?
- A. Defensive response
- B. Asking probing questions
- C. Using clichés
- D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using clichés. The nurse's statement, "Lucky you! Every cloud has a silver lining," is a cliché that minimizes the patient's concerns about her weight loss and chemotherapy. Clichés are overused phrases that lack originality and can be dismissive or unhelpful in communication. In this case, the nurse's response does not address the patient's emotional or physical needs and fails to provide meaningful support.
Incorrect choices:
A: Defensive response - This choice involves reacting defensively to the patient's concerns, which is not demonstrated in the nurse's statement.
B: Asking probing questions - This choice involves seeking further information from the patient, which is not reflected in the nurse's cliché response.
D: Changing the subject - This choice involves diverting the conversation away from the patient's concerns, which is not explicitly done in the given scenario.
A Hispanic patient approaches the Asian nurse and, standing very close, touches the nurse's shoulder during their conversation. The nurse begins to step back to 18 to 24 inches, while smiling and nodding to the patient. This situation is most likely an example of:
- A. the nurse's need to maintain a professional role rather than a social role.
- B. a patient's attempt to keep the nurse's attention.
- C. a nurse's need to establish a more appropriate location for conversation.
- D. a difference in culturally learned personal space of the nurse and the patient.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: a difference in culturally learned personal space of the nurse and the patient. This is because different cultures have varying norms regarding personal space. In this scenario, the Hispanic patient touching the Asian nurse's shoulder and standing very close suggests a cultural difference in personal space expectations. The nurse stepping back to establish a distance of 18 to 24 inches is a respectful response to accommodate the patient's cultural norm. It demonstrates cultural competence and understanding.
Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect:
A: the nurse's need to maintain a professional role rather than a social role - This choice does not address the cultural aspect of personal space and assumes the nurse's response is solely professional.
B: a patient's attempt to keep the nurse's attention - This choice does not consider the cultural factor influencing the patient's behavior.
C: a nurse's need to establish a more appropriate location for conversation - This choice does not acknowledge the cultural difference in personal space as the primary reason for the nurse
The nurse cares for a female patient who is trying to gain understanding of her life and her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Which approach by the nurse would best meet this patient's needs?
- A. Suggest the patient join a breast cancer support group.
- B. Provide the patient with reading material on death and dying.
- C. Contact the patient's spiritual leader to request daily visits.
- D. Listen to the patient's stories about her past experiences.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because actively listening to the patient's stories about her past experiences allows for emotional expression, validation, and building trust. It promotes therapeutic communication and helps the patient gain understanding and cope with her diagnosis. Choice A focuses on group support, which may not address the patient's individual needs. Choice B is not appropriate as it may induce unnecessary fear. Choice C assumes the patient has specific spiritual beliefs and may not be welcomed.
A patient reports to the nurse, "My doctor is not doing anything about my pain." Which response by the nurse is assertive and expresses warmth?
- A. "If I were you, I would see a different doctor."
- B. "What you really mean is you do not like your doctor."
- C. "It is wrong for you to blame your doctor."
- D. "You seem frustrated with your doctor."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it acknowledges the patient's feelings without judgment and expresses empathy. The nurse reflects the patient's emotions by stating, "You seem frustrated with your doctor," showing understanding. Option A is dismissive, suggesting the patient change doctors. Option B assumes the patient's feelings and could come off as confrontational. Option C is accusatory and could make the patient defensive. Overall, option D is assertive, warm, and empathetic, making it the best response in this situation.
A patient who has had a stroke is unable to speak clearly and has right sided hemiplegia. The nurse will design the approach to the assessment interview by:
- A. asking questions and explaining procedures to the patient's daughter.
- B. speaking slowly and giving the patient time to respond.
- C. telling the patient he will get all necessary information from the daughter.
- D. prompting the answers and finishing the sentences for the patient. Speaking slowly recognizes that the patient may process (if able) information more slowly.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because speaking slowly and giving the patient time to respond allows the patient with speech difficulties due to the stroke to process information and formulate a response. Prompting or finishing sentences can hinder the patient's ability to communicate independently. Asking questions to the patient directly, rather than relying on a family member, ensures accurate information is obtained directly from the patient. Telling the patient that all information will come from the daughter undermines the patient's autonomy and may lead to incomplete or inaccurate information.