,Chapter 1 – Science and the Therapeutic Use of Self in Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing
From Varcarolis' Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
1.
Which statement best reflects the concept of the therapeutic use of self in
psychiatric-mental health nursing?
A) Applying pharmacological interventions to manage behavior
B) Providing direct advice and instructions to solve patient problems
C) Forming meaningful connections to support patient healing through presence
and empathy
D) Leading group therapy to address psychiatric symptoms
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic use of self refers to the purposeful use of
personality, insights, perceptions, and empathy to build healing relationships
and support patients’ emotional growth.
2. �
Case Scenario:
Elena, a novice psychiatric nurse, feels uncertain during her first week on a
mental health unit. When assigned to a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia,
she avoids interaction unless necessary and focuses on documenting objective
data. Her preceptor observes this and encourages her to reflect on how her own
emotions and fears might affect her ability to establish therapeutic rapport.
Key Issues:
Role of self-awareness in therapeutic relationships
Emotional readiness for psychiatric nursing
Building confidence in the therapeutic use of self
Barriers to effective communication
,Guiding Questions:
1. How might Elena's avoidance behavior affect her patient’s care?
2. Why is self-awareness crucial in the therapeutic use of self?
3. What strategies can Elena use to become more comfortable in therapeutic
interactions?
Suggested Solution:
Elena should engage in reflective practice to explore her fears and biases.
Participating in supervision or debriefing with experienced staff may also help
her build emotional resilience. Learning active listening, empathy, and presence
as therapeutic tools can enhance her confidence in forming patient-centered
relationships.
3.
What is the primary goal of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship?
A) To manage the patient’s medications and side effects
B) To provide emotional support and companionship
C) To promote patient insight and facilitate positive change
D) To complete nursing documentation and assessments
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic relationship in psychiatric nursing aims to support
the patient’s emotional healing, encourage self-awareness, and facilitate growth
and behavior change.
4. �
Case Scenario:
Marcus, a mental health nurse, works with a patient experiencing major
depressive disorder. The patient initially engages in conversation but later
withdraws and expresses feelings of worthlessness. Marcus maintains a
consistent schedule with the patient, uses therapeutic silence, and gently
encourages expression of feelings.
, Key Issues:
Therapeutic presence
Use of silence and nonverbal communication
Consistency in nurse-patient interaction
Supporting emotional expression
Guiding Questions:
1. What role does consistency play in building trust with depressed patients?
2. How can therapeutic silence be effective in this scenario?
3. How might Marcus’ behavior demonstrate the therapeutic use of self?
Suggested Solution:
Marcus’ consistent and calm approach helps establish safety and predictability,
which are essential in treating depression. Using silence allows the patient space
to process and share at their own pace. His empathy and patience reflect a
strong use of therapeutic self.
5.
Which of the following best distinguishes empathy from sympathy in
therapeutic communication?
A) Empathy involves emotional merging with the patient; sympathy maintains
distance
B) Empathy is non-verbal; sympathy is verbal
C) Empathy is understanding the patient’s perspective; sympathy is feeling
sorry for them
D) Empathy avoids engagement; sympathy encourages advice-giving
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Empathy involves understanding the emotions and experiences of
the patient without becoming emotionally enmeshed, while sympathy often
leads to pity and can diminish therapeutic neutrality.
6. �
Health Nursing
From Varcarolis' Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
1.
Which statement best reflects the concept of the therapeutic use of self in
psychiatric-mental health nursing?
A) Applying pharmacological interventions to manage behavior
B) Providing direct advice and instructions to solve patient problems
C) Forming meaningful connections to support patient healing through presence
and empathy
D) Leading group therapy to address psychiatric symptoms
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic use of self refers to the purposeful use of
personality, insights, perceptions, and empathy to build healing relationships
and support patients’ emotional growth.
2. �
Case Scenario:
Elena, a novice psychiatric nurse, feels uncertain during her first week on a
mental health unit. When assigned to a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia,
she avoids interaction unless necessary and focuses on documenting objective
data. Her preceptor observes this and encourages her to reflect on how her own
emotions and fears might affect her ability to establish therapeutic rapport.
Key Issues:
Role of self-awareness in therapeutic relationships
Emotional readiness for psychiatric nursing
Building confidence in the therapeutic use of self
Barriers to effective communication
,Guiding Questions:
1. How might Elena's avoidance behavior affect her patient’s care?
2. Why is self-awareness crucial in the therapeutic use of self?
3. What strategies can Elena use to become more comfortable in therapeutic
interactions?
Suggested Solution:
Elena should engage in reflective practice to explore her fears and biases.
Participating in supervision or debriefing with experienced staff may also help
her build emotional resilience. Learning active listening, empathy, and presence
as therapeutic tools can enhance her confidence in forming patient-centered
relationships.
3.
What is the primary goal of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship?
A) To manage the patient’s medications and side effects
B) To provide emotional support and companionship
C) To promote patient insight and facilitate positive change
D) To complete nursing documentation and assessments
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic relationship in psychiatric nursing aims to support
the patient’s emotional healing, encourage self-awareness, and facilitate growth
and behavior change.
4. �
Case Scenario:
Marcus, a mental health nurse, works with a patient experiencing major
depressive disorder. The patient initially engages in conversation but later
withdraws and expresses feelings of worthlessness. Marcus maintains a
consistent schedule with the patient, uses therapeutic silence, and gently
encourages expression of feelings.
, Key Issues:
Therapeutic presence
Use of silence and nonverbal communication
Consistency in nurse-patient interaction
Supporting emotional expression
Guiding Questions:
1. What role does consistency play in building trust with depressed patients?
2. How can therapeutic silence be effective in this scenario?
3. How might Marcus’ behavior demonstrate the therapeutic use of self?
Suggested Solution:
Marcus’ consistent and calm approach helps establish safety and predictability,
which are essential in treating depression. Using silence allows the patient space
to process and share at their own pace. His empathy and patience reflect a
strong use of therapeutic self.
5.
Which of the following best distinguishes empathy from sympathy in
therapeutic communication?
A) Empathy involves emotional merging with the patient; sympathy maintains
distance
B) Empathy is non-verbal; sympathy is verbal
C) Empathy is understanding the patient’s perspective; sympathy is feeling
sorry for them
D) Empathy avoids engagement; sympathy encourages advice-giving
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Empathy involves understanding the emotions and experiences of
the patient without becoming emotionally enmeshed, while sympathy often
leads to pity and can diminish therapeutic neutrality.
6. �
