Psychiatric Medications Q 19
Mr. Marquez reports losing his job, not being able to sleep at night, and feeling upset with his wife. Nurse John responds to the client, “You may want to talk about your employment situation in group today.” The Nurse is using which therapeutic technique?
A. Observations
B. Restating
C. Exploring
D. Focusing
Correct Answer: D. Focusing
The nurse is using focusing by suggesting that the client discuss a specific issue. Sometimes during a conversation, patients mention something particularly important. When this happens, nurses can focus on their statement, prompting patients to discuss it further. Patients don’t always have an objective perspective on what is relevant to their case; as impartial observers, nurses can more easily pick out the topics to focus on.
Option A: Observations about the appearance, demeanor, or behavior of patients can help draw attention to areas that might pose a problem for them. Observing that they look tired may prompt patients to explain why they haven’t been getting much sleep lately; making an observation that they haven’t been eating much may lead to the discovery of a new symptom.
Option B: Restating is repeating the main idea expressed. The nurse repeats what the client has said in approximately or nearly the same words the client has used. Client: “I can’t sleep. I stay awake all night.”
Nurse: “You have difficulty sleeping.”
Option C: Exploring delves further into a subject or idea. When clients deal with topics superficially, exploring can help them examine the issue more fully. Examples of exploring include: “Tell me more about that.” and “Would you describe it more fully?”