Galen - NUR 256 - Mental Health -
Therapeutic Communication Study
Guide Exam And Actual Answers.
Encouraging a person to talk by waiting for the answers - Answer Silence (Therapeutic)
Gives the person time to collect thoughts or think through a point
"Yes."
"Uh-huh"
"I follow what you say" - Answer Accepting (Therapeutic)
Indicates understanding; not necessarily indicative of agreement but nonjudgmental
"You've combed your hair today"
"I see you've eaten your lunch" - Answer Giving recognition (Therapeutic)
Indicates awareness of change and effort; does not imply good/bad, right/wrong
"I would like to spend time with you"
"I will stay here and sit with you awhile" - Answer Offering self (Therapeutic)
Offers presence, interest, and a desire to understand. It is not offered to get the person to talk
or behave in certain way
"Go on"
"And then"
"Tell me about it" - Answer Offering general leads (Therapeutic)
Allows other to take direction in the discussion. Indicates you are interested in what comes next
, Clarifies lead to be taken by patient; however, RN discourages pleasantries and small talk
"What happened before?"
"When did this happen?' - Answer Placing events in sequence (Therapeutic)
Puts events/actions in better perspective; notes cause/effect relationships and IDs patterns of
interpersonal difficulties
'You appear tense'
'I notice you are biting your lips'
'You appear nervous whenever John enters the room' - Answer Making observations
(Therapeutic)
Calls attention to behavior; encourages person to notice behavior and describe
thoughts/feelings for mutual understanding; helpful with mute/withdrawn pts.
'What do these voices seem to be saying?'
'what is happening now?'
'tell me when you feel anxious' - Answer Encouraging description of perception (Therapeutic)
Increases RNs understanding of pt's perceptions. Talking about feelings/difficulties can lessen
the need to act out inappropriately
'has this happened before?'
'is this how you felt . . . ?'
'Was it something like . . . ?' - Answer Encouraging comparison (Therapeutic)
Brings our recurring themes in experiences or interpersonal relationships. Helps the person
clarify similarities and differences
P: 'I can't sleep. I stay awake all night.'
RN: You have difficulty sleeping?"
Therapeutic Communication Study
Guide Exam And Actual Answers.
Encouraging a person to talk by waiting for the answers - Answer Silence (Therapeutic)
Gives the person time to collect thoughts or think through a point
"Yes."
"Uh-huh"
"I follow what you say" - Answer Accepting (Therapeutic)
Indicates understanding; not necessarily indicative of agreement but nonjudgmental
"You've combed your hair today"
"I see you've eaten your lunch" - Answer Giving recognition (Therapeutic)
Indicates awareness of change and effort; does not imply good/bad, right/wrong
"I would like to spend time with you"
"I will stay here and sit with you awhile" - Answer Offering self (Therapeutic)
Offers presence, interest, and a desire to understand. It is not offered to get the person to talk
or behave in certain way
"Go on"
"And then"
"Tell me about it" - Answer Offering general leads (Therapeutic)
Allows other to take direction in the discussion. Indicates you are interested in what comes next
, Clarifies lead to be taken by patient; however, RN discourages pleasantries and small talk
"What happened before?"
"When did this happen?' - Answer Placing events in sequence (Therapeutic)
Puts events/actions in better perspective; notes cause/effect relationships and IDs patterns of
interpersonal difficulties
'You appear tense'
'I notice you are biting your lips'
'You appear nervous whenever John enters the room' - Answer Making observations
(Therapeutic)
Calls attention to behavior; encourages person to notice behavior and describe
thoughts/feelings for mutual understanding; helpful with mute/withdrawn pts.
'What do these voices seem to be saying?'
'what is happening now?'
'tell me when you feel anxious' - Answer Encouraging description of perception (Therapeutic)
Increases RNs understanding of pt's perceptions. Talking about feelings/difficulties can lessen
the need to act out inappropriately
'has this happened before?'
'is this how you felt . . . ?'
'Was it something like . . . ?' - Answer Encouraging comparison (Therapeutic)
Brings our recurring themes in experiences or interpersonal relationships. Helps the person
clarify similarities and differences
P: 'I can't sleep. I stay awake all night.'
RN: You have difficulty sleeping?"
