The registered nurse in the mental health unit recognizes which as being good therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply.

Choice A: Giving opinion: While sharing your opinions might seem helpful, it can actually shut down communication and make the patient feel judged or invalidated. Therapeutic communication focuses on understanding the patient's perspective, not imposing your own views.

Choice B: Asking why: Asking "why" can often come across as accusatory or judgmental, putting the patient on the defensive and hindering open communication. Instead, use open-ended s or clarifying statements to encourage the patient to elaborate on their feelings and experiences.

Choice C: Silence: In some situations, silence can be a powerful tool. It can provide a safe space for the patient to process their emotions, gather their thoughts, or initiate conversation themselves. However, be sure to use silence actively, paying close attention to nonverbal cues and ensuring the patient feels comfortable with the pause.

Choice D: Change the subject: While there may be times when it's appropriate to redirect the conversation, abruptly changing the subject can leave the patient feeling unheard and dismissed. It's important to acknowledge the patient's concerns and validate their feelings before moving on to another topic.

Choice E: Reflecting: Reflecting involves rephrasing the patient's words or statements in a way that acknowledges and emphasizes their emotions and experiences. This helps the patient feel heard and understood, promoting trust and openness in the communication. For example, if a patient says "I feel so alone," you could reflect by saying "It sounds like you're feeling isolated and disconnected."

Choice F: Clarification: Clarifying statements are a helpful way to ensure you understand the patient correctly. This can involve repeating parts of what they said, summarizing their message, or asking for specific details. For example, if a patient says "I just can't take it anymore," you could clarify by saying "You mentioned you're feeling overwhelmed. Can you tell me more about what's been difficult for you?"

By utilizing techniques like silence, reflecting, and clarification, nurses can create a safe and supportive environment for their patients in the mental health unit, fostering therapeutic communication that promotes healing and recovery.

Choice A rationale:

Anger is a common and expected response to trauma, including sexual assault. It can stem from various sources, including:

Feelings of violation and powerlessness: Survivors may feel intense anger towards the perpetrator for taking control of their bodies and lives.

Betrayal: If the assault was committed by someone they knew or trusted, survivors may feel intense anger towards that person for breaking their trust.

Frustration and injustice: Survivors may feel angry at the injustice of the situation, the lack of control they had, and the ongoing impact of the trauma.

Difficulty processing other emotions: Anger can sometimes mask other emotions that are difficult to deal with, such as fear, sadness, or guilt.

Anger can manifest in various ways, including:

Irritability and outbursts: Survivors may have a short temper, snap at others easily, or have difficulty controlling their anger. Aggression: In some cases, anger can lead to physical or verbal aggression towards others or self-harming behaviors.

Withdrawal and isolation: Some survivors may withdraw from social interactions and relationships to avoid potential triggers for their anger.

Substance abuse: Some survivors may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb their feelings or cope with their anger.

Choice B rationale:

Sleeping 12 hours or more each day can be a symptom of PTSD, but it is not a specific indicator of anger. It can also be a sign of depression, anxiety, or hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.

Choice C rationale:

PTSD can sometimes lead to an increased sense of detachment from others, rather than attachment. Survivors may feel emotionally numb, have difficulty trusting others, or withdraw from relationships.

Choice D rationale:

While some survivors of sexual assault may feel a need to talk about the event, it is not a universal symptom of PTSD. Some survivors may avoid talking about the event altogether due to the distress it causes.