Solutions.
What are the RNAO's four requisite capacities for establishing therapeutic relationships? -
Correct Answer 1) Self-awareness - the ability to reflect on one's thoughts, feelings, and
actions
2) Self-knowledge - recognition that one's own experience is shaped by nationality, race,
culture, health, gender, education, childhood, relationships, beliefs, etc.
3) Empathy - the ability of one to enter into the client's world and see the world as the client
sees it to explore the meaning it has for the client
4) Awareness of boundaries and limits of professional role - nurse is obligated to place the
client's need before their own needs
Define the "therapeutic relationship". - Correct Answer The therapeutic relationship is
grounded in an interpersonal process that occurs between the nurse and the client. The
relationship is:
- Purposeful
- Goal directed
- Directed at advancing the best interest and outcome of the client
- Based on trust, respect, collaboration and a mix of knowledge and skills
What types of knowledge are needed for establishing therapeutic relationships? - Correct
Answer - Background (nurse)
- Theory
- Diversity
- Person (patient)
- Health/illness
- Influences on health care/policy
- Health care system
, Describe the difference between affect and mood. - Correct Answer Affect refers to the
visible or objective manifestations of a person's emotional state whereas mood is a
person's internal feel state (subjective).
Define "affective attunement". - Correct Answer The ability to assess for small changes in
affect and adjust communication accordingly.
List some examples of defense mechanisms which are used to alleviate anxiety. - Correct
Answer - Projection is when the client projects their feelings onto the nurse
- Projection identification is when the nurse "identifies" with this projection and responds
defensively (automatic response)
- Purposeful intervention is when the nurse pays attention to the "emotional message" (not
the words), and gives it back to the client therapeutically (purposeful response).
What are some indications that boundaries may have been crossed in the therapeutic
relationship? - Correct Answer - Having special clients.
- Spending extra time with clients.
- Keeping secrets with clients.
- Doing activities with clients that you do not share with colleagues.
Name the three phases of the therapeutic relationship. - Correct Answer 1) Orientation
2) Working
3) Termination
NOTE: Each phase defines tasks and roles required of the nurse in that situation.
Describe the orientation phase. - Correct Answer Mostly one-way contact as nurse
identifies themselves by name and professional status, states the purpose, nature, and
time they have for the client, set the tone for the current and future interactions, and
conveys professional interest and receptivity to the client.
- Nurse and client come to know each other as persons.
- Client begins to trust the nurse.