The nurse caring for a patient who is concerned about her 10-pound weight loss relative to her chemotherapy tells the patient. "Lucky you! Every cloud has a silver lining." The nurse's statement is an example of which type of communication block?
Defensive response
Asking probing questions
Using clichés
Changing the subject
The Correct Answer is C
A. Defensive response
A defensive response would involve protecting oneself or one's position rather than addressing the patient’s concerns. The nurse’s statement here is more dismissive than defensive.
B. Asking probing questions
Probing questions would involve persistent questioning, which does not apply here, as the nurse is not asking questions but making a dismissive comment.
C. Using clichés
"Every cloud has a silver lining" is a cliché, which may come across as dismissive and minimize the patient’s concerns. Using clichés can make the patient feel unheard and invalidated.
D. Changing the subject
Changing the subject would involve diverting attention to an unrelated topic. The nurse here is not introducing a new topic but is using a cliché instead.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "I don't feel like walking today either."
This response shifts the focus from the patient to the nurse and does not encourage further discussion about the patient's reluctance or explore the reasons behind it.
B. "You have to walk today."
This statement sounds forceful and dismissive, and may make the patient feel pressured rather than supported. It does not invite dialogue or provide understanding.
C. "Why don't you want to walk today?"
This question can sound judgmental and may put the patient on the defensive. A more neutral response would help the nurse understand the patient's reluctance without pressure.
D. "You don't want to walk today?"
This response reflects the patient's own words back, validating their feelings and opening up the opportunity for the patient to explain their reasons. It is empathetic and nonjudgmental, which encourages therapeutic communication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The nurse-patient relationship ends when the patient is discharged.
The nurse-patient relationship is time-limited and often ends when the patient is discharged, which aligns with its structured, goal-oriented nature.
B. A social relationship does not have goals or needs to be met. While social relationships may not have structured goals, they can still have mutual needs or goals. In contrast, the nurse-patient relationship has specific health-related goals and objectives focused on patient care.
C. The focus is mainly on the nurse in the nurse-patient relationship. This is incorrect, as the primary focus of the therapeutic relationship is on the patient's needs and well-being, not the nurse’s.
D. A social relationship does not require trust or sharing of life experiences. Social relationships do require trust and sharing of experiences; however, they are typically not bound by the professional boundaries, goals, and time limitations that define the nurse-patient relationship.