Therapeutic Comm Q 7
The nurse in the mental health unit recognizes which of the following as therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply.
A. Restating
B. Listening
C. Asking the patient "Why?"
D. Maintaining neutral responses
E. Providing acknowledgment and feedback
F. Giving advice and approval or disapproval
Correct Answer: A, B, D, and E.
Therapeutic communication techniques include listening, maintaining silence, maintaining neutral responses, using broad openings and open-ended questions, focusing and refocusing, restating, clarifying and validating, sharing perceptions, reflecting, providing acknowledgment and feedback, giving information, presenting reality, encouraging formulation of a plan of action, providing nonverbal encouragement, and summarizing
Option A: Restating is done to clarify the client’s message by repeating the same statement back to the client. For example, when a client says, “I am ready to do some walking” and the nurse says, “Did I hear you say that you are now ready to do some walking?”
Option B: Active listening involves showing interest in what patients have to say, acknowledging that you’re listening and understanding, and engaging with them throughout the conversation. Nurses can offer general leads such as “What happened next?” to guide the conversation or propel it forward.
Option C: Asking why is often interpreted as being accusatory by the patient and should also be avoided. Challenging, simply defined in this context, is forcing the client to defend and justify their opinions, beliefs, and feelings. Challenging shows a lack of respect for the client and a lack of acceptance of the client as a unique being who has and is entitled to, their own beliefs and opinions. The client has valid feelings that should never be challenged by the nurse.
Option D: Focusing on the subject at hand decreases the risk of having these kinds of distractions impair the therapeutic communication process. For example, the nurse may say, “Mr. Burke, your family is very interesting and successful. Thank you for sharing this information with me. Now, let’s discuss your diabetes and the insulin that you will be taking after you leave the hospital”.
Option E: Recognition, acknowledgment, and acceptance of the client and their thoughts which are conveyed during communication are therapeutic communication techniques and strategies that give the nurse the opportunity to let the client know that you are interested in them and respectful of them and their thoughts.
Option F: Providing advice or giving approval or disapproval are barriers to communication. Telling the client what to do, giving opinions, or making decisions for the client, implies the client cannot handle his or her own life decisions and that the nurse is accepting responsibility.