A nurse is discussing therapeutic milieu with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of therapeutic milieu?

Choice A reason:

Associative looseness refers to a disorganized thought process where connections between ideas are unclear or illogical. The use of the word "flakala" does not demonstrate a loose association between ideas but rather the creation of a new word.

Choice B reason:

Tangentiality occurs when a person goes off on a tangent and does not return to the original topic. In this case, the client is not going off on a tangent but is repeatedly using a made-up word, which is indicative of neologism.

Choice C reason:

Neologism is the creation of new words that others may not understand. The client's use of "flakala" fits this definition, as it appears to be a word created by the client that is not part of standard language¹. This can be a sign of disorganized thinking, where the client's internal thoughts do not align with conventional language patterns.

Choice D reason:

Circumstantiality involves providing unnecessary detail that makes communication less efficient but eventually returns to the original point. The client's statement does not include unnecessary details; it is the repetition of a newly created word, suggesting neologism.

Choice A reason:
Evaluation is the final step in the nursing process, where the nurse determines the effectiveness of the nursing care plan and whether the client's goals and outcomes have been met. In the context of milieu therapy, evaluation would involve assessing the client's progress within the therapeutic environment.

Choice B reason:
Planning involves setting goals and expected outcomes for the client's care and then determining the specific interventions that will be used to achieve those goals. In milieu therapy, planning would include designing the structure and activities of the therapeutic environment to meet the needs of the clients.

Choice C reason:
Assessment is the first step in the nursing process, where the nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent to the client's health and the situation. In milieu therapy, assessment would include understanding the client's mental health status, personal history, and specific needs within the therapeutic environment.

Choice D reason:
Implementation is the step where the nurse puts the care plan into action. In the context of milieu therapy, implementation refers to the nurse's role in actively creating and maintaining the therapeutic environment, facilitating group activities, and ensuring that the daily routine is therapeutic for all clients.