Therapeutic Comm Q 34
A patient experiencing disturbed thought processes believes that his food is has been poisoned. Which communication technique should the nurse use to encourage the patient to eat?
A. Using open-ended questions and silence
B. Sharing personal preference regarding food choices
C. Documenting reasons why the patient does not want to eat
D. Offering opinions about the necessity of adequate nutrition
Correct Answer: A. Using open-ended questions and silence.
Open-ended questions and silence are strategies used to encourage patients to discuss their problems. Sharing personal food preferences is not a patient-centered intervention. One of the most important skills of a nurse is developing the ability to establish a therapeutic relationship with clients. For interventions to be successful with clients in a psychiatric facility and in all nursing specialties it is crucial to build a therapeutic relationship.
Option B: Focusing on one’s self is a non-therapeutic communication technique. This refers to responding in a way that focuses attention on the nurse instead of the client. An essential factor to build a therapeutic nurse-client relationship is showing genuine interest to the client. For the nurse to do this, he or she should be open, honest, and display congruent behavior. Congruence only occurs when the nurse’s words match with her actions.
Option C: Focusing on the negative should be done less than giving options for the patient. Encourage the patient to consider the pros and cons of possible options. In dealing with clients their interest should be the nurse’s greatest concern. Thus, empathizing with them is the best technique as it acknowledges the feelings of the client and at the same time, it allows a client to talk and express his or her emotions.
Option D: The remaining option is not helpful to the patient because they do not encourage the patient to express feelings. The nurse should not offer opinions and should encourage the patient to identify the reasons for the behavior.