Varcarolis Ch 9 -- Therapeutic
Communication Questions and Correct
Answers
A patient says to the nurse, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally drained, as
though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the nurse use to clarify the patient's comment?
a. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
b. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did not get enough quality sleep last night?"
d. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by 'stoned'?" - correct answersD
The technique of clarification is therapeutic and helps the nurse examine the meaning of the patient's
statement. Asking for a definition of "stoned" directly asks for clarification. Restating that the patient is
uncomfortable with the dream's content is parroting, a nontherapeutic technique. The other responses
fail to clarify the meaning of the patient's comment.
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The Central Intelligence Agency is monitoring us
through the fluorescent lights in this room. The CIA is everywhere, so be careful what you say." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
a. "Let's talk about something other than the CIA."
b. "It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy."
c. "The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities."
d. "You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness." - correct answersB
It is important not to challenge the patient's beliefs, even if they are unrealistic. Challenging undermines
the patient's trust in the nurse. The nurse should try to understand the underlying feelings or thoughts
the patient's message conveys. The correct response uses the therapeutic technique of reflection. The
other comments are nontherapeutic. Asking to talk about something other than the concern at hand is
changing the subject. Saying that the CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities gives false
reassurance. Stating that the patient has lost touch with reality is truthful, but uncompassionate.
The patient says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree." The nurse observes the
patient's foot moving continuously as the patient twirls a shirt button. The conclusion the nurse can
draw is that the patient's communication is
a. clear.
, b. distorted.
c. incongruous.
d. inadequate. - correct answersB
The patient's verbal and nonverbal communication in this scenario are incongruous. Incongruous
messages involve transmission of conflicting messages by the speaker. The patient's verbal message that
all was well in the relationship was modified by the nonverbal behaviors denoting anxiety. Data are not
present to support the choice of the verbal message being clear, explicit, or inadequate.
A nurse interacts with a newly hospitalized patient. Select the nurse's comment that applies the
communication technique of "offering self."
a. "I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it would help if I told you about them."
b. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change in your life?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me." - correct answersD
"Offering self" is a technique that should be used in the orientation phase of the nurse-patient
relationship. Sitting with the patient, an example of "offering self," helps to build trust and convey that
the nurse cares about the patient. Two incorrect responses are ineffective and nontherapeutic. The other
incorrect response is therapeutic but is an example of "offering hope."
Which technique will best communicate to a patient that the nurse is interested in listening?
a. Restating a feeling or thought the patient has expressed.
b. Asking a direct question, such as "Did you feel angry?"
c. Making a judgment about the patient's problem.
d. Saying, "I understand what you're saying." - correct answersA
Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's understanding of what has been communicated.
Restating is an active listening technique. Judgments should be suspended in a nurse-patient
relationship. Close-ended questions such as "Did you feel angry?" ask for specific information rather than
showing understanding. When the nurse simply states that he or she understands the patient's words,
the patient has no way of measuring the understanding.
A patient discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the nurse wants to seek clarification,
which comment would be appropriate?
a. "What are the common elements here?"
Communication Questions and Correct
Answers
A patient says to the nurse, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally drained, as
though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the nurse use to clarify the patient's comment?
a. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
b. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did not get enough quality sleep last night?"
d. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by 'stoned'?" - correct answersD
The technique of clarification is therapeutic and helps the nurse examine the meaning of the patient's
statement. Asking for a definition of "stoned" directly asks for clarification. Restating that the patient is
uncomfortable with the dream's content is parroting, a nontherapeutic technique. The other responses
fail to clarify the meaning of the patient's comment.
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The Central Intelligence Agency is monitoring us
through the fluorescent lights in this room. The CIA is everywhere, so be careful what you say." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
a. "Let's talk about something other than the CIA."
b. "It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy."
c. "The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities."
d. "You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness." - correct answersB
It is important not to challenge the patient's beliefs, even if they are unrealistic. Challenging undermines
the patient's trust in the nurse. The nurse should try to understand the underlying feelings or thoughts
the patient's message conveys. The correct response uses the therapeutic technique of reflection. The
other comments are nontherapeutic. Asking to talk about something other than the concern at hand is
changing the subject. Saying that the CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities gives false
reassurance. Stating that the patient has lost touch with reality is truthful, but uncompassionate.
The patient says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree." The nurse observes the
patient's foot moving continuously as the patient twirls a shirt button. The conclusion the nurse can
draw is that the patient's communication is
a. clear.
, b. distorted.
c. incongruous.
d. inadequate. - correct answersB
The patient's verbal and nonverbal communication in this scenario are incongruous. Incongruous
messages involve transmission of conflicting messages by the speaker. The patient's verbal message that
all was well in the relationship was modified by the nonverbal behaviors denoting anxiety. Data are not
present to support the choice of the verbal message being clear, explicit, or inadequate.
A nurse interacts with a newly hospitalized patient. Select the nurse's comment that applies the
communication technique of "offering self."
a. "I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it would help if I told you about them."
b. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change in your life?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me." - correct answersD
"Offering self" is a technique that should be used in the orientation phase of the nurse-patient
relationship. Sitting with the patient, an example of "offering self," helps to build trust and convey that
the nurse cares about the patient. Two incorrect responses are ineffective and nontherapeutic. The other
incorrect response is therapeutic but is an example of "offering hope."
Which technique will best communicate to a patient that the nurse is interested in listening?
a. Restating a feeling or thought the patient has expressed.
b. Asking a direct question, such as "Did you feel angry?"
c. Making a judgment about the patient's problem.
d. Saying, "I understand what you're saying." - correct answersA
Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's understanding of what has been communicated.
Restating is an active listening technique. Judgments should be suspended in a nurse-patient
relationship. Close-ended questions such as "Did you feel angry?" ask for specific information rather than
showing understanding. When the nurse simply states that he or she understands the patient's words,
the patient has no way of measuring the understanding.
A patient discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the nurse wants to seek clarification,
which comment would be appropriate?
a. "What are the common elements here?"
