The nurse states, “I will stay with you until you go for your electro compulsive therapy (ECT) treatment.” Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques is being demonstrated?

This response is open-ended and non-judgmental, allowing the client to reflect on their behavior and share their thoughts and feelings. It also avoids blaming the client or making assumptions about their intentions, which could escalate the situation and damage the therapeutic relationship.

Option A, “I feel angry when I hear that tone of voice,” focuses on the nurse's own feelings and could be perceived as confrontational or defensive.

Option B, “You make me so angry when you talk to me that way,” places blame on the client and may trigger a defensive response.

Option C, “Are you trying to make me angry?” is also confrontational and may be interpreted as accusing the client of intentionally provoking the nurse.

Sublimation is a defense mechanism in which socially unacceptable impulses or drives are redirected into socially acceptable activities or behavior. For example, someone who has aggressive tendencies may channel those impulses into playing competitive sports, or someone who has sexual desires may channel those impulses into creative work like painting or writing.

Regression refers to a defense mechanism where an individual retreats to an earlier stage of development, such as acting like a child when under stress. Undoing is a defense mechanism in which an individual tries to undo or negate a previous action or thought, such as making up for a mistake by performing a good deed. Suppression is a defense mechanism where an individual consciously avoids thinking about or dealing with certain thoughts or emotions.