Which tasks are safe and appropriate to be performed by a basic-level nurse for a patient suffering from mental illness?

Choice A reason: Asking about feelings explores emotions but does not address the patient’s question about neurotransmitters. Educational queries require informative responses to enhance understanding, not redirection to feelings, making this choice non-therapeutic and incorrect for the patient’s need.

Choice B reason: Explaining neurotransmitters as brain communication chemicals directly addresses the patient’s question. It provides clear, accurate information about their role in mood and behavior, aligning with patient education principles in psychiatric nursing, making this the correct, informative response.

Choice C reason: Focusing on medication avoids explaining neurotransmitters, failing to address the patient’s educational need. It shifts focus prematurely to treatment, which may confuse the patient, making this response less effective and incorrect for providing the requested information.

Choice D reason: Deferring to the doctor dismisses the nurse’s role in patient education, undermining trust. Nurses are equipped to explain basic concepts like neurotransmitters, and this response fails to meet the patient’s need for understanding, making it non-therapeutic and incorrect.

Choice A reason: A neutral attitude in psychiatric nursing maintains professional boundaries and objectivity, preventing bias or emotional entanglement. This fosters a therapeutic environment, allowing patients to express feelings without judgment, aligning with principles of therapeutic communication and mental health care, making this the correct choice.

Choice B reason: Brief check-ins, while useful, may not provide the depth needed for therapeutic care in mental health settings. Consistent, meaningful engagement is more effective for building trust and addressing complex emotional needs, making this approach less optimal compared to maintaining neutrality.

Choice C reason: Discussing a patient’s feelings with another individual risks breaching confidentiality unless authorized by the patient or legally required. This violates ethical standards in mental health care, which prioritize privacy, making this approach non-therapeutic and incorrect for supporting patient care.

Choice D reason: Sharing personal mental health information blurs professional boundaries, potentially shifting focus from the patient’s needs to the nurse’s experiences. This undermines therapeutic communication and objectivity, risking patient trust and care quality, making this approach inappropriate and incorrect.