Therapeutic Comm Q 23
A client states, “You won’t believe what my husband said to me during visiting hours. He has no right treating me that way.” Which nursing response would best assess the situation that occurred?
A. "Does your husband treat you like this very often?"
B. "What do you think is your role in this relationship?"
C. "Why do you think he behaved like that?"
D. "Describe what happened during your time with your husband."
Correct Answer: D. “Describe what happened during your time with your husband.”
This is an example of the therapeutic communication technique of exploring. The purpose of exploring is to delve further into the subject, idea, experience, or relationship. This technique is especially helpful with clients who tend to remain on a superficial level of communication.
Option A: Testing is appraising the client’s degree of insight. These types of questions force the client to try to recognize his problems. The client’s acknowledgment that he doesn’t know these things may meet the nurse’s needs but is not helpful for the client.
Option B: Indicating the existence of an external source refers to attributing the source of thoughts, feelings, and behavior to others or to outside influences. To question this implies that the client was made or compelled to think in a certain way. Usually, the nurse does not intend to suggest that the source is external but that is often what the client thinks.
Option C: Usually a “why” question is intimidating. In addition, the client is unlikely to know why and may become defensive trying to explain himself. Requesting an explanation or asking the client to provide reasons for thoughts, feelings, behaviors or events is nontherapeutic.