A client has been on the nursing unit for a few weeks because of complications after surgery, including the need for extensive wound care. During the last dressing change before discharge to home with home health services, the client becomes angry and says, “You don’t have to be so careful. I’m being sent home anyway!” Which response, if made by the nurse WOULD NOT be therapeutic? Select one answer

“I hear frustration or perhaps anger in your voice. Could you tell me more about how you are feeling right now?”

“It sounds as though you are nervous about going home, but the wound care nurse who will see you also uses excellent technique I am sure your wound will continue to heal.”

“Do you have any concerns about what will happen after discharge that you would like to talk about?”

“Many people who have been in the hospital for an extended period have mixed feelings about going home. Can you tell me how you are feeling about discharge?”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: “I hear frustration or perhaps anger in your voice. Could you tell me more about how you are feeling right now?” is a therapeutic response, not a non-therapeutic one. This response shows active listening, which is a communication skill that involves hearing, understanding, and responding to the client’s verbal and nonverbal messages. It also shows empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It acknowledges and validates the client’s emotions, and invites them to express their concerns or fears. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B reason: “It sounds as though you are nervous about going home, but the wound care nurse who will see you also uses excellent technique I am sure your wound will continue to heal.” is a non-therapeutic response, not a therapeutic one. This response shows false reassurance, which is a communication technique that involves minimizing or dismissing the other person’s feelings or situation. It also shows assumption, which is a communication barrier that involves making judgments or guesses about what the other person thinks or feels. It does not address the client’s emotions or needs, and may sound vague or insincere. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice C reason: “Do you have any concerns about what will happen after discharge that you would like to talk about?” is a therapeutic response, not a non-therapeutic one. This response shows open-ended questioning, which is a communication technique that involves asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. It also shows support, which is a communication technique that involves providing emotional or practical assistance to the client, and helping them cope with their situation or problem. It encourages the client to share their thoughts and feelings, and shows that the nurse is interested, supportive, and empathetic. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: “Many people who have been in the hospital for an extended period have mixed feelings about going home. Can you tell me how you are feeling about discharge?” is a therapeutic response, not a non-therapeutic one. This response shows generalization, which is a communication technique that involves using statements that apply to most people in similar situations. It also shows reﬂection, which is a communication technique that involves restating or paraphrasing what the client has said to show understanding and clarify meaning. It helps the client to feel less alone or isolated, and to explore their own feelings or thoughts. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Be silent as a sign of compassion is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take when a client bursts into tears. Silence can be misinterpreted as indiﬀerence, disapproval, or rejection, and it can make the client feel more isolated or uncomfortable. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Continue with the physical preparation of the client is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take when a client bursts into tears. Continuing with the task without acknowledging the client’s emotional state can be perceived as insensitive, uncaring, or disrespectful, and it can increase the client’s anxiety or distress. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: Ask the client to share what she is feeling is an appropriate action for the nurse to take when a client bursts into tears. Asking open-ended questions can encourage the client to express her emotions, concerns, or fears, and it can show that the nurse is interested, supportive, and empathetic. It can also help the nurse to identify the source of the client’s distress and provide appropriate interventions or referrals. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice D reason: Pull the curtain and leave the area to provide privacy is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take when a client bursts into tears. Leaving the client alone can make her feel abandoned, ignored, or unimportant, and it can prevent the nurse from providing emotional support or assistance. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

A. "I can see you are worried.” B. “Don’t worry, you have nothing to feel guilty about.” C. "Everything possible is being done.” D. "Let me check if you can see your loved one.”

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: “I can see you are worried.” is a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It also acknowledges and validates the family’s emotions, and invites them to express their concerns or fears. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B reason: “Don’t worry, you have nothing to feel guilty about.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows false reassurance, which is a communication technique that involves minimizing or dismissing the other person’s feelings or situation. It also implies that the family should feel guilty, and denies them the opportunity to explore their feelings or thoughts. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: “Everything possible is being done.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows cliché, which is a communication technique that involves using overused or trite expressions that lack meaning or sincerity. It also avoids addressing the family’s emotions or needs, and may sound vague or insincere. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: “Let me check if you can see your loved one.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows changing the subject, which is a communication technique that involves shifting the focus away from the other person’s feelings or situation. It also ignores or postpones the family’s emotional needs, and may make them feel unimportant or dismissed. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When a female client preparing for surgery suddenly bursts into tears, the nurse should take which of the following actions? · Select one answer

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Family members awaiting the outcome of a suicide atempt are tearful. Which response by the Practical Nurse (PN) is therapeutic to the family at this time? * Select one answer

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which statement best defines the nursing process? Select one answer

A client with carotid stenosis has just discussed an upcoming surgery with the physician. The client tells the Practical Nurse (PN), “I wonder if I should let him cut my neck open?” Which nursing response is best?

A client of the Islamic faith refuses to eat a hot dog on his tray because he is afraid that it may contain pork products. Which of the following is the best response by the Practical Nurse (PN)?

The Practical Nurse (PN) is caring for a client with dementia and memory loss. Which of the following communication techniques would be most eﬀective? (Select all that apply)

A patient roughly asks the nurse to bring him some ice cream. An assertive response by the nurse is:

The nurse is changing a client’s dressing. Which observation warrants immediate physician notification?

What should the nurse do with linens that have been soiled by a client with hepatitis?

A Practical Nurse (PN) is observing a nursing assistant talking to a client who is hearing impaired. The PN should not intervene if which of the following were performed by the nursing assistant during communication with the client: (Select all that apply)