Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationships Flashcards
7 cards from real RPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationships flashcards as text
A client becomes tearful and says, 'Nobody cares if I live or die.' Which response by the RPN best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
Answer: "That must be a very lonely feeling. Can you tell me more about what's been happening?"
Reflecting the feeling and inviting elaboration acknowledges the client's experience without dismissing or minimizing it.
Which behavior by the RPN is MOST likely to undermine the therapeutic relationship?
Answer: Sharing personal opinions about the client's life choices
Offering unsolicited personal opinions shifts the focus to the nurse's values, breaching professional boundaries and client autonomy.
A client refuses to speak during a scheduled session. The MOST appropriate RPN action is to:
Answer: Sit quietly with the client and indicate availability without pressure
Maintaining a non-pressured presence communicates acceptance and keeps the therapeutic space open for the client.
The concept of 'unconditional positive regard' in the therapeutic relationship means the nurse:
Answer: Accepts the client as a person of worth regardless of behavior
Unconditional positive regard means valuing the client intrinsically without making acceptance contingent on behavior or compliance.
Which phase of the nurse-client relationship involves mutually identifying problems and setting goals?
Answer: Working phase
The working phase is when the nurse and client collaborate on goal-directed problem solving and therapeutic work.
A client asks the RPN, 'Do you think I should leave my husband?' The BEST therapeutic response is:
Answer: "That's a significant decision. What are your thoughts about it?"
Redirecting the question back to the client promotes autonomy and avoids imposing the nurse's values.
During which phase of the therapeutic relationship is the nurse most focused on reviewing accomplishments and managing feelings about ending?
Answer: Termination phase
The termination phase involves evaluating goal achievement and addressing the client's emotional response to ending the relationship.
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