A patient pauses for a long time and looks tearful after discussing a serious diagnosis. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
Correct answer: A. Remain quietly present and allow the patient time to respond
- A. Remain quietly present and allow the patient time to respond
- B. Change the subject to avoid increasing the patient’s distress
- C. Ask several rapid questions to identify the main problem
- D. Tell the patient that remaining positive will make coping easier
Explanation
Therapeutic silence allows the patient time to process feelings and communicate at their own pace. Changing the subject, rushing questions, or giving false reassurance can block emotional expression.
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About Documentation, Reporting and Communication
Documentation covers accurate, timely and objective nursing records, charting formats, incident reports, medication records, confidentiality and legal accountability. Communication includes therapeutic listening, questioning, empathy, handover and reporting using a structured method such as SBAR, while distinguishing subjective patient statements from objective observations.
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