A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I have got to get out of this hospital! They have found my address and are coming for my family!" The nurse responds, "Don't worry, no one will harm your family." Which of the following types of communication breakdown does the nurse's response represent?

Offering false reassurance.

Offering sympathy.

Providing a passive response.

Showing disapproval.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason:
Offering false reassurance occurs when a nurse or healthcare provider dismisses a patient's concerns with general comforting statements without addressing the reality of the situation or the patient's feelings. In this case, the nurse's response of "Don't worry, no one will harm your family" is an attempt to alleviate the patient's anxiety without acknowledging the patient's fear or providing a realistic plan to ensure the safety of the patient's family. This type of communication can undermine trust and prevent the patient from feeling heard and supported.

Choice B Reason:
Offering sympathy involves sharing feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. While the nurse's response may seem sympathetic, it does not directly express shared emotions or an understanding of the patient's distress. Therefore, it does not represent offering sympathy as a communication breakdown in this context.

Choice C Reason:
Providing a passive response would involve the nurse not actively engaging with the patient's concerns or failing to provide any response. Since the nurse in the scenario does respond to the patient's statement, this does not constitute a passive response.

Choice D Reason:
Showing disapproval would involve the nurse expressing judgment or criticism of the patient's feelings or actions. The nurse's response does not contain elements of judgment or criticism; rather, it is an attempt to reassure the patient, albeit falsely.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:
Telling the client to call their boss and ask for their job back may not be the most supportive response. It could add stress by suggesting immediate action when the client may not be in a position to address the issue effectively due to their hospitalization.

Choice B reason:
This response might come across as dismissive, implying that the client's concerns are not valid or important. It does not offer emotional support or acknowledge the client's feelings about the situation.

Choice C reason:
Questioning why the partner would share such upsetting news does not provide comfort or support to the client. It could potentially create additional stress by introducing doubts about the partner's intentions.

Choice D reason:
This empathetic response acknowledges the client's likely emotional reaction to the news. It validates the client's feelings without making assumptions or judgments about the situation, which is an important aspect of nurse-client communication.

A. "Please do not raise your voice at the children. I am the one who left dishes in the sink." B. "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?" C. "If you keep saying that, I will tell everyone what you did last night." D. "She is always bossing me around. Should she do that?"

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
This statement reflects an attempt to de-escalate a potential conflict by taking responsibility for an action that may have caused distress. However, it does not directly invite dialogue or understanding between family members. Effective communication in family therapy aims to foster open and empathetic dialogue, where members feel heard and understood.

Choice B Reason:
Asking for clarification on emotions connected to specific events is a hallmark of effective communication. This statement opens the door for the family member to share their feelings and for others to understand the perspective behind the emotions. It encourages a non-confrontational exchange of thoughts and feelings, which is essential in family therapy to promote healing and understanding.

Choice C Reason:
This statement is an example of a threat, which can lead to increased tension and conflict within the family. It is counterproductive to the goals of family therapy, which include improving communication and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner. Effective communication should be free of coercion and intimidation.

Choice D Reason:
While this statement may reflect a feeling or concern within the family dynamic, it is framed as an accusation rather than an invitation to discuss the behavior or its impact. Effective communication involves expressing one's own feelings and needs without making judgments about others' actions.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I have got to get out of this hospital! They have found my address and are coming for my family!" The nurse responds, "Don't worry, no one will harm your family." Which of the following types of communication breakdown does the nurse's response represent?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is hospitalized and says to the nurse, "My partner called and told me my boss hired someone to take my place." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is leading a group family therapy session for a mother, father, and two adolescent siblings. Which of the following statements should the nurse recognize as an example of effective communication among family members?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing communication styles. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse identify as being exhibited by an aggressive communicator? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who is about to undergo open-heart surgery. The client states that he is very nervous about the surgery. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A home health nurse drives up to the house of her client, who has schizophrenia with manic episodes. The client is sitting on his front porch with a shotgun in his arms. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A charge nurse is providing an in-service to a group of nurses about the benefits of an interprofessional team. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

A nurse working in a mental health facility is utilizing milieu therapy to provide a therapeutic environment for their clients. Which of the following steps of the nursing process is the nurse demonstrating?

A nurse in a psychiatric unit is admitting a client who attacked a neighbor. The nurse should know that the client can be kept in the hospital after the 72-hour hold is over for which of the following conditions?

A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client whose plan of care includes learning work-related skills. Which of the following members of the interprofessional team is appropriate for this client?