Which comments by a nurse demonstrate the use of therapeutic communication techniques? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: A provider giving a telephone order is a standard practice in healthcare, not inherently requiring reporting unless the order is unsafe. It does not indicate negligence or ethical violations, unlike impaired practice or boundary issues, making it incorrect for mandatory intervention and reporting.

Choice B reason: A peer under the influence of alcohol compromises patient safety due to impaired judgment and coordination, a serious ethical and professional violation. Nurses are obligated to report such behavior to protect patients, aligning with nursing ethics and safety protocols, making this a correct choice.

Choice C reason: Violating relationship boundaries with a patient, such as inappropriate personal interactions, breaches ethical standards and risks patient harm. Nurses must report this to ensure patient safety and maintain professional integrity, aligning with mental health care ethics, making this a correct choice.

Choice D reason: A licensed provider prescribing medication is a routine clinical action, not requiring reporting unless the prescription is unsafe or inappropriate. This choice does not inherently indicate a need for intervention, unlike impaired practice or boundary violations, making it incorrect.

Choice A reason: Focusing on the nurse’s experiences shifts attention from the patient, undermining therapeutic communication. This violates psychiatric nursing principles, which prioritize patient-centered dialogue to build trust and explore feelings, making this a non-therapeutic technique that disrupts effective mental health care.

Choice B reason: Making value judgments imposes the nurse’s beliefs on the patient, creating a judgmental environment. This hinders open communication, fosters defensiveness, and undermines trust, contrary to therapeutic communication goals in mental health nursing, making this a correct choice for non-therapeutic behavior.

Choice C reason: Giving advice assumes the nurse knows best, disempowering the patient and limiting self-exploration. Therapeutic communication encourages patients to find their own solutions, making advice-giving non-therapeutic, as it disrupts autonomy and trust, correctly identifying this as a non-therapeutic technique.

Choice D reason: Active listening, involving empathy and nonverbal cues, is a cornerstone of therapeutic communication. It fosters trust and validates patient feelings, essential in mental health care. This technique enhances therapeutic relationships, making it incorrect as a non-therapeutic communication example.