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Question 1
A patient says, 'Nobody cares if I live or die.' Which nurse response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
Answer: The nurse should use reflection and open-ended statements, such as 'It sounds like you're feeling very alone. Tell me more about what you're experiencing.' This acknowledges the patient's feelings without dismissing or deflecting them.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of the therapeutic use of silence in psychiatric nursing?
Answer: Silence gives the patient time and space to gather thoughts, process emotions, and continue sharing without feeling rushed or pressured by the nurse.
Question 3
Which nurse statement is an example of the nontherapeutic technique of 'giving false reassurance'?
Answer: 'Everything is going to be just fine' is false reassurance because it dismisses the patient's concerns and provides an unfounded promise the nurse cannot guarantee.
Question 4
What does the nurse demonstrate when restating a patient's words in slightly different language to confirm understanding?
Answer: The nurse is using paraphrasing (restating), a therapeutic technique that shows active listening and allows the patient to clarify or expand on their message.
Question 5
A patient with schizophrenia believes the television is sending personal messages specifically to them. What term describes this symptom?
Answer: This is an idea of reference, a type of delusion in which the patient believes ordinary external events have special personal meaning directed at them.