Therapeutic Communication

A young adult client is recovering on the inpatient rehabilitation unit following a traumatic bilateral lower extremity amputation. When the physical therapist arrives for a scheduled session, the client turns toward the wall, pulls the blanket over their head, and states, 'Just leave me to rot. What is the point of doing this? I will never be whole again.' Which of the following responses by the practical nurse are therapeutic? Select all that apply.

A practical nurse is caring for an older adult client who has just been informed by the interprofessional team that they must transition to a skilled nursing facility rather than returning to their private residence. The client begins to cry and states, "I am losing all of my independence. Everything that makes my life meaningful is completely over." Which of the following is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?

Match each therapeutic communication technique with the corresponding example of the practical nurse's response.

A client who is 3 days postoperative following a below-the-knee amputation turns away from the practical nurse and stares at the wall. The client states, "There is no point in trying to get out of bed. I am never going to be normal again." Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

A practical nurse is applying therapeutic communication principles during various client interactions. Connect each observed client behavior or statement to the most effective nursing response.

A client who sustained deep partial-thickness facial burns in a residential fire three weeks ago is preparing for discharge. While the practical nurse is changing the facial dressings, the client turns away from the mirror and says, 'Just cover it up quickly. I look like a monster. My life is completely ruined and nobody will ever accept me like this.' Which of the following responses by the nurse use therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply.

A client who recently received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes says to the practical nurse, "I don't know how I am going to manage all these diet changes and check my blood sugar every day. It's just too overwhelming." Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

Match each therapeutic communication technique with the most appropriate example of a practical nurse's statement.

A client who was recently diagnosed with terminal lung cancer is visibly distressed and tells the practical nurse, "I do not understand why this is happening to me. I have never even smoked a cigarette in my life." Which of the following responses by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

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

A practical nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy in the morning. The client is pacing the room, wringing their hands, and suddenly states, "I look in the mirror and I just don't know who I will be tomorrow. Maybe I should just cancel the whole thing." What is the most therapeutic response for the practical nurse to make?

An older adult client in a rehabilitation facility tells the practical nurse, "My daughter hasn't visited in three weeks. She must be too busy with her new job to care about an old man like me." Which response by the practical nurse is most therapeutic?

A practical nurse is providing care to several clients who are experiencing emotional distress. Match each client's clinical presentation or statement to the most appropriate therapeutic communication technique the nurse should implement initially.

An agitated client paces the hallway of a behavioral health facility and approaches the practical nurse. The client points to an empty corner and speaks rapidly, stating, "The walls are starting to breathe again. The provider promised the new medication would stop this, but the shadows are stretching out and they are coming to take me away tonight." Which response by the nurse represents the most appropriate therapeutic communication technique?

A client who is awaiting diagnostic test results is pacing the room and states, "I cannot stop thinking that this might be something terrible." Which of the following responses by the practical nurse are therapeutic? (Select all that apply)

Review the following client clinical scenarios. Match each situation with the most appropriate therapeutic communication technique the practical nurse should utilize to foster a therapeutic relationship.

A young adult client who underwent a temporary colostomy placement two days ago refuses to look at the stoma during pouch changes. The client turns away and states, "My body is ruined. I will never be attractive again." What is the most therapeutic statement for the practical nurse to make?

A client on a medical-surgical unit is placed on contact precautions for a multidrug-resistant organism. The client tells the practical nurse, "Everyone who comes in here covers themselves up like I am radioactive. I feel completely diseased." Which of the following responses by the practical nurse use therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply.

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?

A practical nurse is caring for a postpartum client whose newborn was recently transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to respiratory distress. The client begins crying and states, "I should have done something differently during my pregnancy. This is all my fault that my baby is sick." Which of the following responses by the nurse is most therapeutic?