ATI CASE STUDY: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
STRATEGIES IN NURSING 2025
Key Terms/Concepts
Therapeutic Communication: A process that promotes understanding and
support between the nurse and the client, facilitating the client's expression
of feelings and thoughts.
Active Listening: A communication technique that involves fully
concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the client
says.
Interventions
Intervention Description
Asking open-ended questions to allow clients to express their
Encourage
feelings and thoughts, such as 'Tell me more about the stress you
Sharing
are feeling.'
Restate Main Reflecting back what the client has said to show understanding,
Ideas e.g., 'Your partner grabbed your arm and caused the bruise.'
Helping clients formulate plans to address their concerns, e.g.,
Discuss Action
'Let's discuss ways to calm the situation the next time an argument
Plans
starts.'
Key Communication Techniques
Open-Ended Questions: Questions that cannot be answered with a simple
'yes' or 'no,' encouraging clients to elaborate on their feelings and
experiences.
Reflective Listening: A technique where the nurse mirrors back what the
client has said to confirm understanding.
Key Scenarios
Panic Attack Recovery: The nurse should encourage the client to share past
experiences related to panic attacks to help them process their feelings.
Stress Management: The nurse should invite the client to discuss their
stressors in detail to better understand their situation.
Key Responses
Scenario Recommended Response
Client feels embarrassed after a
'Have you experienced anything like this before?'
panic attack
Client feels stressed and
'Tell me more about the stress you are feeling.'
overwhelmed
, Scenario Recommended Response
Client argues with their teenage 'Let's discuss ways to calm the situation the next
daughter time an argument starts.'
'Your partner grabbed your arm and caused the
Client has a bruise from partner
bruise.'
Client expresses concern about
'Lean in toward the client.'
diagnosis
Facts to Memorize
Therapeutic communication techniques include open-ended questions,
restating, and encouraging action plans.
Active listening involves body language such as leaning in and maintaining
eye contact.
Reference Information
Open-ended questions encourage clients to express their feelings and
thoughts more freely.
Restating a client's concerns can help clarify their feelings and ensure
understanding.
Concept Comparisons
Concept Description Example
Questions that cannot be
Open-ended "Tell me more about the stress
answered with a simple 'yes' or
Questions you are feeling."
'no'.
Repeating back what the client
"Your partner grabbed your arm
Restating has said to confirm
and caused the bruise."
understanding.
"Let's discuss ways to calm the
Encouraging Helping clients formulate a plan
situation the next time an
Action to address their concerns.
argument starts."
Understanding Therapeutic Communication
Definition and Importance
Therapeutic communication is a purposeful form of
communication used by healthcare professionals to
promote a patient's well-being.
STRATEGIES IN NURSING 2025
Key Terms/Concepts
Therapeutic Communication: A process that promotes understanding and
support between the nurse and the client, facilitating the client's expression
of feelings and thoughts.
Active Listening: A communication technique that involves fully
concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the client
says.
Interventions
Intervention Description
Asking open-ended questions to allow clients to express their
Encourage
feelings and thoughts, such as 'Tell me more about the stress you
Sharing
are feeling.'
Restate Main Reflecting back what the client has said to show understanding,
Ideas e.g., 'Your partner grabbed your arm and caused the bruise.'
Helping clients formulate plans to address their concerns, e.g.,
Discuss Action
'Let's discuss ways to calm the situation the next time an argument
Plans
starts.'
Key Communication Techniques
Open-Ended Questions: Questions that cannot be answered with a simple
'yes' or 'no,' encouraging clients to elaborate on their feelings and
experiences.
Reflective Listening: A technique where the nurse mirrors back what the
client has said to confirm understanding.
Key Scenarios
Panic Attack Recovery: The nurse should encourage the client to share past
experiences related to panic attacks to help them process their feelings.
Stress Management: The nurse should invite the client to discuss their
stressors in detail to better understand their situation.
Key Responses
Scenario Recommended Response
Client feels embarrassed after a
'Have you experienced anything like this before?'
panic attack
Client feels stressed and
'Tell me more about the stress you are feeling.'
overwhelmed
, Scenario Recommended Response
Client argues with their teenage 'Let's discuss ways to calm the situation the next
daughter time an argument starts.'
'Your partner grabbed your arm and caused the
Client has a bruise from partner
bruise.'
Client expresses concern about
'Lean in toward the client.'
diagnosis
Facts to Memorize
Therapeutic communication techniques include open-ended questions,
restating, and encouraging action plans.
Active listening involves body language such as leaning in and maintaining
eye contact.
Reference Information
Open-ended questions encourage clients to express their feelings and
thoughts more freely.
Restating a client's concerns can help clarify their feelings and ensure
understanding.
Concept Comparisons
Concept Description Example
Questions that cannot be
Open-ended "Tell me more about the stress
answered with a simple 'yes' or
Questions you are feeling."
'no'.
Repeating back what the client
"Your partner grabbed your arm
Restating has said to confirm
and caused the bruise."
understanding.
"Let's discuss ways to calm the
Encouraging Helping clients formulate a plan
situation the next time an
Action to address their concerns.
argument starts."
Understanding Therapeutic Communication
Definition and Importance
Therapeutic communication is a purposeful form of
communication used by healthcare professionals to
promote a patient's well-being.
