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Difficulty: MediumTherapeutic Communication

A 45-year-old client on the oncology unit has just been informed that their chemotherapy was ineffective and the tumor has metastasized. The client stares out the window and quietly states, "I did everything the doctors told me to do. I changed my diet, I took the treatments, and it didn't even matter." Which of the following is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?

  1. It sounds like you are feeling incredibly frustrated and disappointed that the treatments did not work.Answer
  2. B
    Try to stay hopeful; many patients have lived for a long time with metastatic disease.
  3. C
    Why do you think the medications were ineffective for your specific type of cancer?
  4. D
    You should focus on the quality of time you have left rather than dwelling on the past.

Answer

The most therapeutic response is the one that reflects and validates the client's feelings of frustration and disappointment regarding the ineffective treatments.
The correct response utilizes the therapeutic technique of reflection. By stating that it sounds like the client is feeling incredibly frustrated, the nurse acknowledges and validates the client's feelings of loss and helplessness. This approach encourages the client to continue expressing their emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's statement and current emotional state.
The client is expressing feelings of helplessness, frustration, and grief after receiving bad news about their cancer treatment.
Understanding the emotional context is necessary to choose an appropriate communication technique.
2
Evaluate the nursing responses against principles of therapeutic communication.
Reflecting feelings validates the client's experience. Responses that give advice, ask 'why', or offer false reassurance block communication.
Identifying therapeutic versus non-therapeutic techniques eliminates incorrect distractors.
3
Select the response that best facilitates open communication and emotional expression.
The response acknowledging the client's frustration directly validates the expressed emotions without judgment.
Validation and reflection are highly effective therapeutic communication techniques during times of acute distress.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication Techniques
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Topics

Therapeutic Communication

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