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Difficulty: EasyMental Health Concepts

A community health nurse is speaking with an older adult who recently transitioned to an assisted living facility. The resident sits quietly, avoids eye contact, and states, "My children put me here because they do not care about me anymore. I am just a burden." Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

  1. A
    You should not feel that way; I know your family loves you very much.
  2. B
    Why do you think your children would want to get rid of you?
  3. It sounds like you are feeling very lonely and abandoned right now.Answer
  4. D
    Feeling this depressed is just a normal, expected part of getting older.

Answer

The most therapeutic response is the one that reflects the client's feelings and acknowledges their emotional pain without judgment.
The correct response utilizes the therapeutic technique of reflection. By stating, 'It sounds like you are feeling very lonely and abandoned,' the nurse acknowledges and validates the client's emotional pain. This encourages open communication without passing judgment, offering unwarranted advice, or minimizing the distress.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core emotion the client is expressing.
The client is communicating feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and abandonment.
Recognizing the underlying emotion is the necessary first step in formulating a therapeutic, empathetic response.
2
Evaluate the available responses against established therapeutic communication principles.
The statement reflecting the client's feelings of loneliness is the only therapeutic option. The other choices involve blocking techniques or clinical misjudgments.
Techniques like restating, reflecting, and showing empathy validate the client's experience and encourage further dialogue.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication in Mental Health Nursing
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Topics

Mental Health Concepts

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