A patient tells the nurse, I don't think I can deal with feeling ...

[jazziefee]

A patient tells the nurse, I don't think I can deal with feeling so sad much longer. What is the nurse's best response?
 
  1. We all have times of sadness.
  2. Are you saying you feel sad?
  3. Tell me about your feelings of sadness.
  4. Is there a history of depression in your family?

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with postpartum depression. The patient tells the nurse, I can't seem to get out of bed and take care of my baby. Which responses by the nurse best demonstrate therapeutic communication?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. It sounds like you are having a hard time.
  2. The baby blues are normal for every woman after birth.
  3. Have you felt like this before, after the birth of your oldest child?
  4. Would I be correct in saying that you are sleeping more than usual?
  5. I had this condition after my son's birth. It is best to seek help from family members.

[Dinolord]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 3
Explanation: The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of encouraging the patient to explore feelings when asking the patient to talk about the feelings of sadness. Asking the patient if he is sad is therapeutic; however, the better response is to encourage the patient to explore his feelings about being sad to facilitate developing insight. Restating would prompt a closed-ended response by focusing on the content (sad), as opposed to focusing on the behavior or feelings (sadness). Asking about the patient's history provides the patient with an opportunity to shift the focus from the feelings to providing information about the patient's family and is not the best response. Suggesting that everyone has sad times discounts the patient's feelings.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1, 3, 4
Explanation: 1. Various techniques are used to demonstrate therapeutic communication. Asking the patient, Would I be correct in saying that you are sleeping more than usual? is seeking clarification, and is a therapeutic communication technique. Telling the patient, It sounds like you are having a hard time is a statement that uses the therapeutic communication technique of affirming. Asking the patient, Have you felt like this before, after the birth of your oldest child? is using the therapeutic communication technique of encouraging comparison. Telling the patient, The baby blues are normal for every woman after birth is using social responding, which is nontherapeutic. Telling the patient, I had this condition after my son's birth. It is best to seek help from family members is giving advice, which is a barrier to communication.