While reviewing therapeutic communication techniques, a nursing ...

[mpobi80]

While reviewing therapeutic communication techniques, a nursing student made a list of things not to do or say to a client. Which of the following comments should be on the student's list?
 
  1. How do you feel about being discharged today?
  2. What happened when you quit taking your medications?
  3. What are your concerns about your living situation?
  4. Why do you think you will never get well?

Question 2

Which statement would have the best potential to obtain assessment data from a client about possible use of complementary and alternative practices or products?
 
  1. Tell me everything you takeprescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, herbs, as well as how much coffee, tea, and soda you drink daily and any recreational drugs you use.
  2. Tell me about the medicines the doctor prescribed and the amounts prescribed.
  3. What things do you do for yourself to maintain or improve your health?
  4. Do you take dietary supplements and herbs on top of the medicines the doctor prescribes for you?

[flexer1n1]

Answer to Question 1

4
Rationale: Therapeutic communication skills are used to foster the nurseclient relationship in the psychiatricmental health setting. Asking the client Why do you think you will never get well? is an example of requesting an explanation, which is not therapeutic and requires the client to defend his or her actions. Asking how the client feels about being discharged, what happened when medication was discontinued, or concerns about the client's living situation are examples of therapeutic communication.

Answer to Question 2

3
Rationale: Clients often report they do not inform their primary care practitioner of CAM use, most frequently because they were not asked. Using therapeutic communication, such as an open-ended question asking what the client does to maintain or improve health, is more likely to initiate a conversation through which further information about complementary and alternative practices and products will be shared by the client with the nurse. Asking the client to provide details about medications or other products may be construed as threatening or judgmental. Asking if the client takes dietary supplements and herbs is closed-ended and implies a lack of freedom of choice on the part of the client.