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Question

Difficulty: MediumTherapeutic Communication

A client who recently received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis pushes their breakfast tray aside and stares blankly out the window. When the nurse enters the room, the client sighs heavily and states, "What is the point of eating or taking these pills? I am just going to end up a helpless burden to my spouse anyway." Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

  1. You are feeling overwhelmed and worried about how this illness will impact your family.Answer
  2. B
    Try not to focus on the negative right now; there are many advanced treatments that can keep you independent.
  3. C
    Why do you believe that this condition will inevitably turn you into a burden?
  4. D
    Skipping your prescribed medications will only cause your physical condition to deteriorate faster.

Answer

The most therapeutic response is to reflect and validate the client's feelings by acknowledging their feelings of being overwhelmed and worried about the impact of the illness on their family.
The correct response directly addresses the client's emotional state by reflecting their feelings of fear and concern about their spouse. This technique, known as reflection or empathetic validation, acknowledges the client's current emotional reality and creates a safe, non-judgmental space for them to further explore and process their grief and anxiety.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's statement and nonverbal behavior.
The client is expressing feelings of hopelessness, fear of the future, and deep concern about becoming a burden due to a new chronic illness diagnosis.
Identifying the underlying emotion and psychosocial need is the first step in formulating an effective therapeutic response.
2
Evaluate the provided response options against therapeutic communication principles.
Options that offer false reassurance, ask 'why', or lecture the client must be eliminated as they block therapeutic engagement.
Therapeutic communication should validate feelings, build trust, and encourage exploration, rather than dismiss emotions with advice or judgment.
3
Select the response that utilizes reflection and empathy.
The statement acknowledging the client's worry about their family directly addresses the expressed emotion.
Reflection demonstrates active listening and allows the client to feel heard and understood without feeling pressured.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication: Empathy, Validation, and Reflection
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Topics

Therapeutic Communication

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