Effective Communication Techniques in Nursing

When engaged in therapeutic communication with a client who has a mental disorder, which is the most important for a nurse to keep in mind? Correct response: The client is the primary focus of the interaction. A nurse is assessing an elderly client with a cardiac disorder. Which statement given by the client conveys an abstract message? Choose the best answer. Correct response: "I don't really know how it all started. It just happened." The nurse is talking with a married client just diagnosed with syphilis. The nurse talks with the client about disclosing the information to the spouse and/or any other sexual partners. The client cries and asks the nurse, "Have you ever had an affair?" The nurse states, "Yes, it usually doesn't turn out well." The nurse proceeds to answer other questions about the affair. By answering these personal questions the nurse is divulging what? Correct response: self- disclosure When providing information about anorexia to a client, the nurse can ensure that the client can accurately comprehend the information by doing what? Correct response: Presenting the information using language and terms the client will understand The nurse is talking with the client and demonstrates concern for the way the client is feeling by using verbal affirmations and paraphrasing to show understanding. What communication techniques are being used by the nurse? Correct response: active listening Which form of nonverbal communication would be least effective for the nurse to engage in to demonstrate interest in and acceptance of the client? Correct response: Sitting behind a desk A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a decline in the client's chronic illness. The nurse feels that the nurse should speak to the client's spouse, who is extremely worried and anxious, and provide the spouse with support. Which setting should the nurse select to speak to the spouse? Choose the best answer. Correct response: The consultation room Which would not be considered a goal of therapeutic communication? Correct response: Self-exploration of feelings by the nurse During a client interview, the client tells the psychiatric-mental health nurse, "If I told you what I did to my son, you'd never want to speak to me again." What is the nurse's most therapeutic response? Correct response: "I'd very much like to hear about that, and it is okay for you to talk about it with me." The nurse is sitting behind a table while speaking to a client on the other side of the table. What is the most appropriate reason for this nurse's action? Correct response: The client may have difficulty maintaining spacial boundaries. A nurse engaged in an interaction with a client recognizes body space zones. Which would the nurse identify as the individual's personal zone? Correct response: Beginning at the boundary of the intimate zone and ending at the social zone "Get the stuff from him" is an example of which type of message? Correct response: Abstract A nurse is seeing a client who has recently been discharged from the hospital for a suicide attempt. When asked about the quality of her relationship with her husband, the client becomes silent, diverts eye contact and says, "It's okay." What is the nurse's best response? Correct response: "What you are saying and how you say it does not seem to match." After discussing feeling guilty about having trouble looking after her children, the client states, "They would be better off if I wasn't around." The client's statement is an example of a(n): Correct response: covert cue. The nurse is teaching effective anger management. The nurse emphasizes the use of assertive sentences while expressing anger. Which are examples of assertive communication? Select all that apply. Correct response: “I am frustrated with the situation.” “I am feeling disrespected by your comments.” When a novice psychiatric nurse shares with the nurse manager that talking about sexual abuse with clients is very uncomfortable, which would be the most effective response from the nurse manager? Correct response: "What specifically makes you uncomfortable?" A client says, “Nobody listens to me; even you don't!” Which response is most therapeutic? Correct response: “It sounds like you're feeling unappreciated.” A nurse enters the room of a client who has been on the unit for several weeks. The client states, “I haven’t seen you for a while. How were your days off?” What is the nurse’s most appropriate response? Correct response: It’s important to get a break from time to time. How have the last few days been for you? Which nursing actions, if shared with clients, suggest self-disclosure? Select all that apply. Correct response: showing family photos telling the client the nurse attended a weight loss meeting directing the client to the nurse's Facebook page The client tells the nurse, "My mom is coming in to see me today," while sighing and looking out the window. The nurse states, "You don't seem very excited about the visit, is everything OK?" The client affirms. Using therapeutic communication, how should the nurse respond? Correct response: "I'm concerned that you are not exicited about your mother's visit, We can talk if you want." A client is discussing the client's problems at the workplace. Which nonverbal cues would indicate that the nurse is attentive to the client? Select all that apply. Correct response: Leaning toward the client Maintaining eye contact with the client A client is speaking to the nurse and expressing dissatisfaction about the care that was provided to the client during a hospital stay. The nurse tells the client, “This is the best hospital in the state. You could not expect better care anywhere else.” Which type of communication does this indicate? Correct response: Defending The therapeutic communication interaction is most comfortable when the nurse and the client are how far apart? Correct response: 3 to 6 feet Which term is used to refer to signals that encourage effective communication? Correct response: Cues A client on the psychiatric mental health unit has a care plan that includes a break for cigarettes every hour during the afternoon if the client follows the behavioral plan to attend the morning group on anger management. The client asks, "I couldn't get to my group this morning because I overslept. Can I just this one time go for a cigarette now?" Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic? Correct response: "No, Joe. Your plan says that you need to attend that group in order to have cigarette breaks." The nurse is caring for a client who is very confused. In addition to verbal communication with the client, which intervention should the nurse use? Correct response: using gentle touch during activities of daily living The nurse is talking with the client about lowering cholesterol and raising high density lipoproteins (HDLs). The nurse states, "Niacin with applesauce helps to prevent the flushing sensation that often accompanies taking this drug." What is the nurse providing with this statement? Correct response: self-disclosure Which would be the least optimal environment for therapeutic communication for a client who has difficulty maintaining boundaries? Correct response: The client's room A group of nursing students is role playing situations to practice using therapeutic communication techniques. What would the students identify as verbal communication? Correct response: emotion underlying the words Which form of messaging contain figures of speech that are difficult to interpret and can be a barrier to communication? Correct response: Abstract A student nurse is preparing for a clinical placement in a psychiatric-mental health context. In order to best prepare to engage in therapeutic communication with clients, the student should: Correct response: reflect critically on the student's own life experiences, perspectives, and characteristics. The nurse wears a cross and has a Facebook page displaying pictures of the family, home and updates on what the nurse is currently doing. These actions are examples of what? Correct response: self-disclosure Which therapeutic communication technique is being utilized when the nurse asks the client, "Is there something you'd like to talk about?" Correct response: Broad opening