Question

Difficulty: EasyTherapeutic Communication

A practical nurse is communicating with various clients on a medical-surgical unit. Match each therapeutic communication technique to the nurse's corresponding statement.

  • RestatingClient: "My life is over now." Nurse: "You feel like your life is over."
  • Offering self"I have 15 minutes right now, and I would like to just sit here with you."
  • Making observations"I notice you are wringing your hands and pacing the hallway."
  • Exploring"Tell me more about the anxiety you experience when taking your new medication."

Answer

Restating matches with repeating the client's feeling that their life is over. Offering self matches with sitting with the client for 15 minutes. Making observations matches with noticing the client wringing their hands. Exploring matches with asking the client to tell more about their anxiety.
Each technique represents a distinct therapeutic approach: Restating echoes the client's words; Offering self provides unconditional presence; Making observations notes behaviors to prompt discussion; and Exploring gently invites the client to elaborate on specific thoughts.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze 'Making observations'
Matches with 'I notice you are wringing your hands and pacing the hallway.'
The nurse is verbalizing a direct behavioral observation to invite the client to share their feelings.
2
Analyze 'Restating'
Matches with the nurse repeating 'You feel like your life is over.'
The nurse acts as a sounding board by repeating the client's exact main idea back to them.
3
Analyze 'Offering self'
Matches with 'I have 15 minutes right now, and I would like to just sit here with you.'
The nurse is volunteering their time and presence without demanding any specific action or conversation from the client.
4
Analyze 'Exploring'
Matches with 'Tell me more about the anxiety you experience when taking your new medication.'
The nurse is using an open-ended prompt to gather deeper insight into a specific topic the client mentioned.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication Techniques
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