Answer to Question 1
ANS: B
The therapeutic response is to clearly communicate appropriate boundaries. There are times when patients misinterpret the nurse's nurturing as an invitation to an intimate relationship. In these instances, boundaries must be firmly, but neutrally, explained. The behavior should not be ignored since doing so may well result in the patient repeating the behavior with others, perhaps with disastrous results. Touch is often misinterpreted by psychotic patients and in this case has no therapeutic value. Nonverbal communication should always be congruent so as to avoid confusing the patient.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: C
Responding to the patient's information in a nonjudgmental, accepting manner will encour-age continued therapeutic communication. The remaining options, although appropriate, will not have the same generalized affect on the communication process as the correct option.