Therapeutic Comm Q 25
Which therapeutic communication technique should the nurse use when communicating with a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations?
A. "My sister has the same diagnosis as you and she also hear voices."
B. "I understand that the voices seem real to you, but I do not hear any voices."
C. "Why not turn up the radio so that the voices are muted."
D. "I wouldn't worry about these voices. The medication will make them disappear."
Correct Answer: B. “I understand that the voices seem real to you, but I do not hear any voices.”
This is an example of the therapeutic communication technique of presenting reality. Presenting reality is when the client has a misperception of the environment. The nurse defines reality or indicates his or her perception of the situation for the client.
Option A: It is nontherapeutic when the nurse agrees with the client. Approval indicates that the client is “right” rather than “wrong”. This gives the client the impression that he is “right” because of agreement with the nurse. Opinions and conclusions should be exclusive to the clients.
Option C: Advising refers to telling the client what to do; giving an opinion or making decisions for the client is inappropriate. It implies that the client cannot handle life decisions and only the nurse knows what is best for the client.
Option D: False reassurance refers to indicating there is no reason for anxiety or other feelings of discomfort. Attempts to dispel the client’s anxiety by implying that there is not sufficient reason for concern completely devalue the client’s feelings. Vague reassurances without accompanying facts are meaningless to the client.