Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship Flashcards

A client tells the nurse, 'I feel like you're the only one who really understands me. Can we be friends after I'm discharged?' How should the nurse respond?

Answer: Explain that professional boundaries prevent a personal friendship but that the therapeutic relationship has value.

The nurse acknowledges the client's feelings while clearly maintaining professional boundaries and explaining the distinct nature of the therapeutic relationship.

During a home visit, a client offers the nurse a gift of homemade cookies as a gesture of gratitude. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Decline and explain the agency's gift policy, acknowledging the client's gratitude verbally.

The nurse follows agency policy on gifts, validates the client's intent, and maintains the therapeutic relationship by acknowledging gratitude in other ways.

Which behavior best demonstrates the nurse's use of empathy in the therapeutic relationship?

Answer: Saying, 'It sounds like this situation has been very overwhelming for you.'

Empathy involves reflecting the client's emotional experience accurately without projecting personal feelings or offering false reassurance.

A nurse notices personal feelings of frustration when caring for a non-compliant client. What is the most therapeutic action?

Answer: Reflect on the feelings and seek supervision or peer support to maintain professional care.

Self-awareness and use of supervision are essential to prevent countertransference from compromising the therapeutic relationship.

A client with depression refuses to participate in group therapy. Which response best upholds the therapeutic relationship while supporting autonomy?

Answer: Explore the client's concerns about group therapy and discuss alternatives together.

Exploring the client's perspective respects autonomy and keeps communication open within the therapeutic relationship.

Which phase of the therapeutic relationship involves establishing trust, clarifying roles, and setting mutual goals?

Answer: Orientation phase

The orientation phase focuses on establishing rapport, clarifying the nurse and client roles, and collaboratively setting goals for the relationship.

A nurse is preparing for the termination phase with a long-term client. Which action is most important?

Answer: Begin planning for termination well in advance and discuss the client's feelings about it.

Anticipatory planning and open discussion of termination help the client process the transition and consolidate gains from the therapeutic work.