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Difficulty: MediumMental Health Concepts

An occupational health nurse is evaluating an adult client who recently experienced a traumatic workplace injury resulting in a lower limb amputation. The client stares at the floor and states, "My life is completely over. There is no point in trying to do anything anymore." Which of the following responses by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

  1. It sounds like you are feeling completely overwhelmed and hopeless about your future right now.Answer
  2. B
    Many people with similar injuries learn to use a prosthesis and return to their previous jobs.
  3. C
    Why do you think your life is over when you survived the accident?
  4. D
    You should focus your energy on the physical therapy exercises so you can recover faster.

Answer

It sounds like you are feeling completely overwhelmed and hopeless about your future right now.
The correct response utilizes the therapeutic communication technique of reflection. By restating the client's expressed feelings in a gentle, non-judgmental way, the nurse validates the client's emotional pain, demonstrates active listening, and creates a safe space for the client to explore their feelings of hopelessness.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's current emotional state and psychosocial needs.
The client is expressing profound hopelessness, grief, and a sense of loss following a life-altering amputation.
Understanding the client's emotional baseline is required to choose an appropriate communication strategy.
2
Evaluate the primary goal of the nurse-client interaction at this moment.
The goal is to establish trust, validate the client's emotional pain, and encourage them to express their feelings.
Before problem-solving or education can occur, the client must feel heard and emotionally supported.
3
Analyze the options to eliminate non-therapeutic communication blocks.
Eliminate options that offer false reassurance, ask demanding 'why' questions, or give unprompted advice, as these block further emotional expression.
Non-therapeutic techniques invalidate the client's experience and create barriers in the therapeutic relationship.
4
Select the response that utilizes a recognized therapeutic communication technique.
The option utilizing reflection and empathy is selected.
Reflection acknowledges the client's stated feelings and opens the door for deeper therapeutic dialogue.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication Techniques in Grief and Loss
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Topics

Mental Health Concepts

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