Which behavior is consistent with therapeutic communication?
- A. Offering your opinion when asked to convey support.
- B. Summarizing the essence of the patient's comments in your own words.
- C. Interrupting periods of silence before they become awkward for the patient.
- D. Telling the patient they did well when you approve of their statements or actions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Summarizing the essence of the patient's comments in your own words is a key aspect of therapeutic communication as it demonstrates active listening and understanding. It shows the patient that their words have been heard and understood, fostering a sense of validation and empathy. Offering opinions, interrupting silence, or giving approval may not always align with the principles of therapeutic communication, which focus on patient-centered interactions and empathetic responses.
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Therapeutic communication is the foundation of a patient-centered interview. Which of the following techniques is not considered therapeutic?
- A. Restating
- B. Encouraging description of perception
- C. Summarizing
- D. Asking 'why' questions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Asking 'why' questions is not considered a therapeutic technique in patient-centered communication as it can make patients feel defensive or judged. 'Why' questions may imply criticism or put the patient on the spot, potentially hindering open and honest communication. Instead, focusing on open-ended questions that encourage patients to express their feelings and thoughts without feeling judged or interrogated is more conducive to therapeutic communication.
When should healthcare professionals be most alert to the possibility of communication errors resulting in harm to the patient?
- A. Change of shift reports
- B. Admission interviews
- C. One-to-one conversations with patients
- D. Conversations with patient families
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Healthcare professionals should be most alert to the possibility of communication errors resulting in harm to the patient during change of shift reports. This is a critical time when information is transferred between healthcare providers, and any errors in communication during this handover can lead to adverse outcomes for the patient.
Which response by a 15-year-old demonstrates a common symptom observed in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder?
- A. I'm so restless. I can't seem to sit still.
- B. I spend most of my time studying. I have to get into a good college.
- C. I'm not trying to diet, but I've lost about 5 pounds in the past 5 months.
- D. I go to sleep around 11 p.m. but I'm always up by 3 a.m. and can't go back to sleep.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Which factors tend to increase the difficulty of diagnosing young children who demonstrate behaviors associated with mental illness? Select one that does not apply.
- A. Limited language skills
- B. Level of cognitive development
- C. Level of emotional development
- D. Parental denial that a problem exists
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Diagnosing mental illness in young children can be complex due to their limited language skills, cognitive development, and emotional development. However, parental denial does not directly affect the child's inherent challenges, making it the factor that does not apply to the difficulty of diagnosis.
During pregnancy, a woman is in a relationship with a male who routinely abuses her. Her unborn child may engage in high-risk behavior as a teen as a result of:
- A. Maternal stress
- B. Parental nurturing
- C. Appropriate stress responses in the brain
- D. Memories of the abuse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maternal stress during pregnancy can have long-term effects on the child's behavior and stress responses. Research shows that exposure to high levels of stress hormones in the womb can influence the developing fetal brain and the child's future behavior, potentially leading to high-risk behaviors during adolescence.