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Which technique will best communicate to a patient that the nurse is interested in listening?
- A. Restate a feeling or thought the patient has expressed.
- B. Ask a direct question, such as, 'Did you feel angry?'
- C. Make a judgment about the patient's problem.
- D. Say, 'I understand what you're saying.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's understanding of what has been communicated. Restating is an active listening technique. Judgments should be suspended in a nurse-patient relationship. Closed-ended questions such as 'Did you feel angry?' ask for specific information rather than show understanding. When the nurse simply states that he or she understands the patient's words, the patient has no way of measuring the understanding.
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During an interview, a patient attempts to shift the focus from self to the nurse by asking personal questions. How should the nurse respond?
- A. You've turned the tables on me.'
- B. Nurses direct the interviews with patients.'
- C. Do not ask questions about my personal life.'
- D. The time we spend together is to discuss your concerns.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a patient tries to focus on the nurse, the nurse should refocus the discussion back onto the patient. Telling the patient that interview time should be used to discuss patient concerns refocuses discussion in a neutral way. Telling patients not to ask about the nurse's personal life shows indignation. Saying that nurses prefer to direct the interview reflects superiority. Saying 'You've turned the tables on me' states the fact but does not refocus the interview.
A school-age child tells the school nurse, 'Other kids call me mean names and will not sit with me at lunch. Nobody likes me.' Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.
- A. Just ignore them and they will leave you alone.
- B. You should make friends with other children.
- C. Call them names if they do that to you.
- D. Tell me more about how you feel.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct response uses exploring, a therapeutic technique. The distracters give advice, a nontherapeutic technique.
The relationship between a nurse and patient as it relates to status and power is best described by which term?
- A. Symmetric
- B. Complementary
- C. Incongruent
- D. Paralinguistic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a difference in power exists, as between student and teacher or nurse and patient, the relationship is said to be complementary. Symmetrical relationships exist between individuals of like or equal status. Incongruent and paralinguistic are not terms used to describe relationships.
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, 'The CIA is monitoring us through the fluorescent lights in this room. Be careful what you say.' Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic?
- A. Let's talk about something other than the CIA.
- B. It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy.
- C. The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities.
- D. You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is important not to challenge the patient's beliefs, even if they are unrealistic. Challenging undermines the patient's trust in the nurse. The nurse should try to understand the underlying feelings or thoughts the patient's message conveys. The correct response uses the therapeutic technique of reflection. The other comments are nontherapeutic. Asking to talk about something other than the concern at hand is changing the subject. Saying that the CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities gives false reassurance. Stating that the patient has lost touch with reality is truthful but uncompassionate.
A patient tells the nurse, 'I don't think I will ever get out of here.' Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.
- A. Don't talk that way. Of course, you will leave here.
- B. Keep up the good work and you certainly will.
- C. You don't think you're making progress?
- D. Everyone feels that way sometimes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By asking if the patient does not believe that progress has been made, the nurse is reflecting by putting into words what the patient is hinting. By making communication more explicit, issues are easier to identify and resolve. The remaining options are nontherapeutic techniques. Telling the patient not to 'talk that way' is disapproving. Saying that everyone feels that way at times minimizes feelings. Telling the patient that good work will always result in success is falsely reassuring.