A bystander was killed during a robbery 2 weeks ago. His widow, who is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, cries spontaneously when talking about his death. Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.
I am worried about how much you are crying. Your grief over your husband's death has gone on too long
"The unexpected death of your husband must be very painful. I am glad you are able to talk to me about your feelings."
"Are you hearing voices at night?"
"This loss is harder to accept because of your mental illness. I will refer you to a partial hospitalization program."
The Correct Answer is B
A. This response minimizes her grief and implies pathology; crying after a recent traumatic loss is normal.
B. This response acknowledges the client’s pain, validates her feelings, and encourages continued expression, making it therapeutic.
C. This abruptly changes the subject and ignores her grief, which is the client’s primary concern.
D. This pathologizes normal grief and focuses on her diagnosis instead of providing empathy and support.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A busy family may experience stress, but this alone is not the greatest risk factor for abuse.
B. Multiple caregivers can sometimes create inconsistency in care, but it is not the primary factor.
C. Rural living may limit access to resources, but dementia itself poses a greater risk.
D. Dementia (especially Alzheimer’s disease) significantly increases vulnerability to abuse because of impaired memory, communication, and judgment, which limit the ability to report or stop mistreatment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The orientation stage focuses on establishing trust, building rapport, clarifying roles, and setting boundaries. Developing trust and rapport is essential before deeper therapeutic work can occur.
B. Self-responsibility and autonomy are outcomes seen later in the working/termination phases as the patient gains insight and coping skills.
C. A greater sense of independence is expected as the therapeutic relationship progresses, not in the orientation stage.
D. Transference (patient projecting feelings onto the nurse) may occur at any phase and is addressed in the working phase, not resolved in orientation.
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