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Difficulty: EasyTherapeutic Communication

During morning rounds on a medical-surgical unit, a newly admitted client is crying softly in bed. The client tells the practical nurse, 'I just cannot believe I have to be in the hospital for another week. I miss my family so much.' Which response by the practical nurse is most therapeutic?

  1. It sounds like you are feeling very lonely and missing your family right now.Answer
  2. B
    Don't worry, a week will pass by much faster than you think.
  3. C
    Why didn't your family come to stay with you at the hospital today?
  4. D
    You should turn on the television to help take your mind off things.

Answer

The most therapeutic response uses empathy to reflect the client's feelings and acknowledges their distress without judgment.
The correct response utilizes empathy and reflection. By validating that the client feels lonely and misses their family, the nurse demonstrates active listening. This builds trust and invites the client to share more about their feelings without feeling judged or dismissed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's statement to identify their core emotional state.
The client is crying and explicitly states they miss their family, indicating feelings of sadness and homesickness.
Understanding the underlying emotion is the first step in selecting an appropriate therapeutic response.
2
Evaluate the response options against established therapeutic communication techniques.
The correct response reflects the client's emotion (empathy), while the other options represent communication blocks (false reassurance, asking 'why' questions, giving advice).
The nurse must avoid communication blocks that minimize feelings or make the client defensive.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication Techniques and Blocks
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Topics

Therapeutic Communication

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