The nurse recognizes the patient who demonstrates communication congruency when the patient
wrings her hands and paces around the room while denying that she is upset.
states she is comfortable while she frowns, and her teeth are clenched.
is tearful and slow in speech when talking about her husband's death.
smiles and laughs while speaking of feeling lonely and depressed.
The Correct Answer is C
A. wrings her hands and paces around the room while denying that she is upset.
This example reflects incongruence. The patient's body language (pacing, wringing hands) suggests anxiety or distress, which does not match her verbal denial of being upset.
B. states she is comfortable while she frowns, and her teeth are clenched.
This example also reflects incongruence. Her facial expression and clenched teeth contradict her statement of comfort, indicating her communication is not aligned.
C. is tearful and slow in speech when talking about her husband's death.
This example reflects congruence. The patient’s verbal expression and nonverbal cues are aligned, indicating that her communication is consistent with her emotions.
D. smiles and laughs while speaking of feeling lonely and depressed.
This example reflects incongruence. Smiling and laughing contradict the verbal expression of loneliness and depression, indicating a mismatch in her communication.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Speaking in simple sentences, as if to a child. This is inappropriate and could be perceived as patronizing, which may hinder communication. Older adults should be treated with respect, not as children.
B. Speaking slowly in order to allow the patient to process the message. Older adults may need more time to process information, so speaking slowly can aid understanding without appearing patronizing.
C. Addressing him by his first name to encourage a therapeutic relationship. Addressing older adults by their first names may be seen as disrespectful or overly familiar, unless the patient specifically requests it.
D. Standing in the doorway rather than entering the room to give the older adult patient more privacy. Standing in the doorway may create a physical barrier and distance, which can hinder effective communication and rapport.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Confuses the patient by giving information. False reassurance does not typically involve the giving of information; instead, it involves providing comforting statements that may not be truthful or realistic.
B. Shows a judgmental attitude on the part of the nurse.
False reassurance is not necessarily judgmental but is dismissive, offering unrealistic comfort rather than addressing the patient’s actual concerns.
C. Summarizes the patient's concerns and closes communication.
False reassurance does not summarize concerns; it usually bypasses them altogether, offering hollow comfort instead of genuine acknowledgment of the patient’s feelings.
D. Discounts the patient's stated concerns.
False reassurance can harm communication because it dismisses or minimizes the patient’s concerns rather than validating them, making the patient feel unheard or misunderstood.