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Prep U-s - Therapeutic Communication - Chapter 8 fully solved & updated (100- accuracy).
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Prep U-s - Therapeutic Communication - Chapter 8 fully solved & updated (100- accuracy).
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Prep U's - TherapeuticCommunication - Chapter 8
fully solved & updated 2025-
2026(100% accuracy)
Which goal of therapeutic communication would the nurse strive to attain
first? - Establish a therapeutic nurse-client relationship.
Rationale: Establishing a therapeutic relationship is one of the most
important responsibilities of the nurse when working with clients. It is
foundational to each of the other listed nursing actions so it must be
established first.
The nurse is trying to obtain some information about family relationships
from the client. Which statement is best? - "Tell me your feelings about
your family situation."
Rationale: This statement asks the client to describe or discuss family by
expressing his or her feelings and perceptions. Asking if this is upsetting
or whether the family is ready for the client to come home are closed-
ended questions that elicit just a one-word answer. Asking "how is your
family" does not address the nurse's focus, which is family relationships.
Which form of nonverbal communication would be least effective for the
nurse to engage in to demonstrate interest in and acceptance of the
client? - sitting behind a desk.
Rationale: Sitting behind a desk imposes a barrier between the nurse and
the client and is therefore the least effective technique listed here.
Therapeutic nonverbal communication uses positive body language, such
as sitting at the same eye level as the client with a relaxed posture that
projects interest and attention. Leaning slightly forward also helps engage
the client. Generally, the nurse should not cross the arms or legs during
therapeutic communication because such postures erect barriers to
interaction; uncrossed arms and legs project openness and a willingness
to engage in conversation.
,The nurse is talking with the client and demonstrates concern for the way
the client is feeling by using verbal affirmations and paraphrasing to show
understanding. What communication techniques are being used by the
nurse? - active listening.
Rationale: Active listening is refraining from other internal mental
activities and concentrating exclusively on what the client says. Self
disclosure, empathetic linkages and self awareness are not
communication techniques. Empathetic linkages are the communication of
feelings. Self-awareness is having a clear perception of your personality,
including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation and
emotions. Self-disclosure is communication by which one person reveals
information like thoughts, feelings, aspirations, goals, failures, successes,
fears and dreams, as well as one's likes, dislikes and favorites.
Which communication technique does a nurse use in establishing trust and
developing empathy? - Acceptance.
Rationale: Acceptance is the encouraging and receiving of information in a
nonjudgmental and interested manner. It is used in establishing trust and
developing empathy. A nurse uses confrontation when presenting a client
with a different reality of the situation. Doubt is the expression or voicing
of skepticism when a client relates a situation. Observation is the act of
stating to the client what the nurse is observing.
The nurse is talking with a married client just diagnosed with syphilis. The
nurse talks with the client about disclosing the information to the spouse
and/or any other sexual partners. The client cries and asks the nurse,
"Have you ever had an affair?" The nurse states, "Yes, it usually doesn't
turn out well." The nurse proceeds to answer other questions about the
affair. By answering these personal questions, the nurse is divulging what?
- self-disclosure.
Rationale: Self-disclosure is letting the client know personal information.
The conversation should focus on the client, and not the nurse. On
revealing personal information the nurse should be purposeful and have
identified therapeutic outcomes. Rapport, empathetic linkages, and self-
awareness are not included in self-disclosure.
A psychiatric-mental health client tells the nurse, "The doctor hates me.
The doctor promised to come check on me after dinner yesterday but
never came." What is the nurse's most therapeutic response? - "I don't
know why the doctor didn't check on you yesterday, but I think it's unlikely
that the doctor hates you."
, Rationale: One therapeutic communication technique is to express doubt.
This is appropriate when the client expresses a thought that stretches
credibility. The nurse does not agree or disagree but does express
skepticism, which encourages the client to reconsider. It would be
inappropriate for the nurse to characterize the health care provider to the
client as someone who "doesn't keep promises." The nurse cannot
justifiably reassure the client that the health care provider will come as
soon as she is able; the nurse cannot make commitments for the provider.
Similarly, it would likely be inappropriate for the nurse to page the health
care provider solely in response to the client's statement.
A nurse enters the room of a client who has been on the unit for several
weeks. The client states, "I haven't seen you for a while. How were your
days off?" What is the nurse's most appropriate response? - It's important
to get a break from time to time. How have the last few days been for
you?
Rationale: Making a noncommittal and nonspecific statement like "it's
important to get a break" and then redirecting the conversation to the
patient is the best way to avoid self-disclosure and maintain a therapeutic
relationship. Overtly stating that he or she cannot talk about personal
matters threatens the rapport between the nurse and patient. The nurse
should avoid specifying that he or she spent time with family on days off.
Asking the patient to guess about the nurse's activities is of no benefit.
A nurse is caring for a client on the unit who is attempting to manipulate
the staff. Which description of the client made by a nurse demonstrates
strength-based communication? - resourceful.
Rationale: Strength-based communication should be supportive, focusing
on the client's strengths instead of potential deficits. Language that
promotes acceptance and respect should be favored over language that
distracts from acceptance of the person. For example, instead of
perceiving a client to be "manipulative," an alternative consideration is
that the client is "resourceful and trying to get help." Therefore, the client
being described as resourceful by the nurse is utilizing strength-based
communication. Being described as aggressive, noncompliant, or
argumentative is not utilizing strength-based communication.
A client remarks, "You know, it's the same thing every time." The nurse
should respond by stating: - "I'm not sure what you mean. Please explain."
Rationale: Sometimes, words, phrases, or slang terms have different
meanings and can be easily misunderstood. In this case, it is important for
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