The nurse is sitting with a patient who is crying. After a few minutes the nurse places one hand on the patient's shoulder. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the nurse's touch with this patient?
- A. To express sympathy to the patient
- B. To assess the patient's skin temperature and circulation status
- C. To offer comfort and support for the patient
- D. To extend an offer of friendship to the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Touch, when appropriate, offers comfort and support, not sympathy, physical assessment, or friendship, enhancing the therapeutic relationship.
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A client is fearful and reluctant to talk. Which of the following techniques is most effective when trying to engage the client in interaction?
- A. Broad opening
- B. Focusing
- C. Giving information
- D. Silence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Broad openings allow a fearful client to choose what to discuss, reducing pressure and encouraging interaction, unlike focusing or silence which may intimidate.
The nurse asks the patient what he would like to talk about. This is an example of
- A. Broad opening
- B. Encouraging expression
- C. Focusing
- D. Offering self
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Broad openings allow the client to initiate and direct the conversation, encouraging them to choose the topic, unlike focusing or offering self, which have different purposes.
The nurse uses a variety of therapeutic communication skills when working with patients. Which of the following is a therapeutic goal that can be accomplished through the use of therapeutic communication skills?
- A. Inform the patient of priority problems
- B. Assess the patient's perception of a problem
- C. Assist the patient to control emotions
- D. Provide the patient with a plan of action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication aims to understand the client's perspective, including assessing their perception of a problem, to facilitate emotional expression and collaborative planning, rather than imposing priorities or solutions.
A patient asks the nurse what she should do about her 'cheating' husband. The nurse replies, 'You should divorce him. You deserve better than that.' The nurse used which communication technique?
- A. Giving information
- B. Verbalizing the implied
- C. Giving advice
- D. Agreeing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Giving advice, as in suggesting divorce, is nontherapeutic as it assumes the nurse knows best, limiting the client's autonomy in decision-making.
During the admission interview, the nurse asks the client what led to his hospitalization. The client responds, 'They lied about me. They said I murdered my mother. You're the killers. You all killed my mother. She died before I was born.' The best initial response by the nurse would be,
- A. I just saw your mother. She's fine.
- B. You're having very frightening thoughts.
- C. We'll put you in a private room until you're in better control.
- D. If your mother died before you were born, you wouldn't be here.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verbalizing the implied acknowledges the client's frightening thoughts, validating their emotional experience without reinforcing delusions.
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