The nurse is admitting a patient to the medical/surgical unit. ...

[nenivikky]

The nurse is admitting a patient to the medical/surgical unit. Which communication technique would be considered appropriate for this interaction?
 
  a. I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it would help if I told you about them.
  b. Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change in your life?
  c. You will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates.
  d. I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me.

Question 2

A patient states, I had a bad nightmare. When I woke up, I felt emotionally drained, as though I hadn't rested well. Which response by the nurse would be an example of interpersonal therapeutic communication?
 
  a. It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream.
  b. I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too.
  c. So, all in all, you feel as though you had a rather poor night's sleep?
  d. Can you give me an example of what you mean by a 'bad nightmare'?

[tkempin]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Because the patient is newly admitted to the unit, allowing the patient to become comfortable with the setting a technique that can assist in establishing the nurse-patient relationship. It helps build trust and convey that the nurse cares about the patient. The nurse should not reveal their life experiences as this is not therapeutic. Asking why the patient is having difficulty may provide insight; however, this would be best saved for an established relationship with the patient. Assuring the patient that they will feel better may not be true depending on the reason for the admission.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The technique of clarification is therapeutic and helps the nurse examine meaning. The distracters focus on patient feelings but fail to clarify the meaning of the patient's comment.

[nenivikky]

Excellent

[kusterl]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it