You are seeing a family for family therapy. Arjun and Kate are having difficulty in their marriage since their oldest daughter left for college. Whenever there is a fight, Kate vents her frustrations to her younger son. According to family systems therapy, what behavior is Kate and Arjun engaging in to stabilize their relationship?

Choice A Reason:

To provide support for the patient is not appropriate. While providing support is important in therapeutic communication, the nurse's statement is more focused on bringing attention to an inconsistency rather than offering direct emotional support.

Choice B Reason:

To redirect the patient to an important idea is not appropriate. The nurse's statement is not aimed at redirecting the patient to a specific idea. Instead, it's about highlighting a potential incongruence between the patient's verbal and nonverbal expressions.

Choice C Reason:

To provide a suggestion for coping strategies is not appropriate. The nurse's statement is not directly offering suggestions for coping strategies. It is more focused on helping the patient recognize and explore the discrepancy in their expressed emotions.

Choice D Reasons:

To bring inconsistencies into awareness is appropriate. This therapeutic communication technique is aimed at helping the patient recognize and explore any inconsistencies between their verbal and nonverbal expressions. By pointing out the discrepancy between the patient's statement of feeling sad and the observed behavior of smiling, the nurse encourages the patient to reflect on and explore their emotions more deeply. This can contribute to increased self-awareness and a better understanding of the patient's emotional state.

Choice A Reason:

Anxiety is incorrect. While anxiety is a valid concern, it may not be an immediate threat to the individual's safety.

Choice B Reason:

Ineffective coping is incorrect. This is relevant, but it doesn't address the urgency associated with potential self-harm.

Choice C Reason:

Chronic low self-esteem is incorrect. Low self-esteem is a significant issue, but it may not require immediate intervention compared to the risk of self-harm.

Choice D Reason:

Self-harm is correct. Assessing and addressing the risk of self-harm takes precedence, as it involves ensuring the immediate safety and well-being of the individual. Once the risk of self-harm is addressed, the nurse can then explore and address other related concerns, such as anxiety, coping mechanisms, and self-esteem.