One of the goals of a therapeutic community is for patients to become more autonomous and accept self-responsibility. Which option below best encourages fulfillment of this goal?

Choice A Reason:

Requiring the patient to be on time and dressed for daily breakfast is inappropriate. While punctuality and self-care are important, requiring these behaviors doesn't necessarily encourage the patient to take responsibility for their overall treatment plan.

Choice B Reason:

Insisting each patient take a turn in the community as a leader is inappropriate. While leadership roles can be beneficial, insisting may feel coercive. Autonomy is better promoted when patients have a choice in taking on leadership roles.

Choice C Reason:

Including the patient's input in the treatment plan is appropriate. Including the patient's input in the treatment plan is a strategy that promotes autonomy and self-responsibility. It recognizes the patient as an active participant in their own care and empowers them to be involved in decisions about their treatment.

Choice D Reason:

Making the treatment plan decisions for the patient is inappropriate. Making decisions for the patient contradicts the goal of autonomy and self-responsibility. It disempowers the patient and may hinder their engagement in the treatment process.

Choice A Reason:

This response is dismissive and invalidates the son's feelings of guilt. It does not acknowledge or address his emotional distress. Providing false reassurance and shifting focus to work is not therapeutic.

Choice B Reason:

This response reflects therapeutic communication. It validates the son’s feelings by acknowledging his guilt and encourages him to express his emotions. Reflective listening allows the nurse to build trust and support the son in processing his emotions.

Choice C Reason:

Asking "Why" can feel accusatory or judgmental, making the son defensive. While the statement attempts to provide reassurance, it fails to address his emotional state and may shut down further communication.

Choice D Reason:

Although this response provides some reassurance and normalization, it minimizes the son's emotions by focusing on generalizations. It lacks the reflective quality necessary for therapeutic communication in this situation.