Therapeutic Comm Q 21
A client who frequently exhibits angry outbursts is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Which appropriate feedback should a nurse provide when this client experiences an angry outburst?
A. "Why do you continue to alienate your peers by your angry outbursts?"
B. "You accomplish nothing when you lose your temper like that."
C. "Showing your anger in that manner is very childish and insensitive."
D. "During group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door."
Correct Answer: D. “During the group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door.”
The nurse is providing appropriate feedback when stating, “During the group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door.” Giving appropriate feedback involves helping the client consider a modification of behavior. Feedback should give information to the client about how he or she is perceived by others. Feedback should not be evaluative in nature or be used to give advice.
Option A: Requesting an explanation or asking the client to provide reasons for thoughts, feelings, behaviors or events is nontherapeutic. There is a difference between asking the client to describe what is occurring or has taken place and asking him to explain why. Usually, a “why” question is intimidating.
Option B: Telling the client what to do or giving an opinion or making decisions for the client is inappropriate and nontherapeutic. It implies that the client cannot handle life decisions and only the nurse knows what is best for the client.
Option C: Disapproving or denouncing the client’s behavior is nontherapeutic. Disapproval implies that the nurse has a right to pass judgement on the client’s actions. It further implies that the client is expected to please the nurse.