Author Question: Which nursing response would indicate an empathetic approach to a patient who is de-pressed over ... (Read 56 times)

segrsyd · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

Which nursing response would indicate an empathetic approach to a patient who is de-pressed over recent losses in her life?

a. Losing a job isn't always a bad thing.
b. I lost my parents last year and still feel sad.
c. Please tell me more about what you are feeling.
d. Let's not focus on what's sad but rather what is good about life.

Question 2

A nurse is considering the therapeutic value of touch when planning care for an anxious patient. What is the initial question the nurse should answer before initiating this tech-nique?

a. How comfortable am I with touching this patient?
b. Will the patient find therapeutic touch supportive?
c. Does research support the use of therapeutic touch?
d. Has therapeutic touch proven to be therapeutic with anxious patients?

shoemake · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Empathy or empathic understanding is the nurse's ability to see things from the patient's viewpoint and to communicate this understanding to the patient. This response focuses on the patient's feelings and encourages further discussion. Minimizing the loss or suggesting a change in focus sounds judgmental or patronizing and will likely cut off communication. Although self-disclosure can be therapeutic, this focuses on the nurse's feelings.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Touch will only communicate warmth and thus be therapeutic if the nurse is comfortable with it. Although the other options are all appropriate, they do not have priority in this situation.