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?”
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because it shows that the PN is not using a technique that encourages the client to express feelings and thoughts. A closed inquiry is a question that can be answered with a yes or no, or a short factual response.
Choice B reason: This is correct because it shows that the PN is using a technique that encourages the client to express feelings and thoughts. An open-ended question is a question that requires more than a yes or no, or a short factual response and invites the client to elaborate.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because it shows that the PN is not using a technique that involves asking a question. Minimal encouraging is a verbal or nonverbal response that shows interest and attention and prompts the client to continue talking.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because it shows that the PN is not using a technique that involves asking a question. A restating is a verbal response that repeats the main idea or keywords of the client’s message and confirms understanding.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Symptoms are subjective data that are reported by the client, such as pain, nausea, or fatigue. They are not observable or measurable by the nurse, and they may vary depending on the client’s perception or expression. The data that the PN discovered are not symptoms, but objective data that are observed or measured by the nurse, such as skin condition, oral mucus membranes, and temperature. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice B reason: Urinary retention is a condition in which the client is unable to empty the bladder completely or at all. It can cause symptoms such as difficulty or pain in urinating, frequent or urgent urination, or abdominal distension. It can also lead to complications such as infection, kidney damage, or bladder rupture. The data that the PN discovered are not related to urinary retention, but to dehydration or fever. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice C reason: Signs of fluid overload are objective data that indicate excess fluid in the body, such as edema, weight gain, crackles in the lungs, or elevated blood pressure. They can result from conditions such as heart failure,
kidney failure, or liver cirrhosis. The data that the PN discovered are not signs of fluid overload, but signs of fluid deficit or heat stroke. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D reason: Data clustering is a process of grouping related data together to form a meaningful patern that can support a nursing diagnosis. It can help the nurse to identify the client’s problems, needs, or risks, and to prioritize and plan interventions accordingly. The data that the PN discovered are an example of data clustering, as they represent a patern of signs that indicate a possible problem such as dehydration or fever. Therefore, this choice is correct.
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