A nurse is caring for an older adult client who had a cerebrovascular accident and has right-sided paralysis and aphasia. The client's son tells the nurse it is his fault because he did not insist that his mother live with him. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
"Your mother will be fine, you shouldn't work so much."
“So, it seems that you feel responsible for what happened to your mother”
"Why do you blame yourself? You could not have prevented the stroke”
“You are not responsible for your mothers’ stroke but many people in your situation feel this way”
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
This response is dismissive and invalidates the son's feelings of guilt. It does not acknowledge or address his emotional distress. Providing false reassurance and shifting focus to work is not therapeutic.
Choice B Reason:
This response reflects therapeutic communication. It validates the son’s feelings by acknowledging his guilt and encourages him to express his emotions. Reflective listening allows the nurse to build trust and support the son in processing his emotions.
Choice C Reason:
Asking "Why" can feel accusatory or judgmental, making the son defensive. While the statement attempts to provide reassurance, it fails to address his emotional state and may shut down further communication.
Choice D Reason:
Although this response provides some reassurance and normalization, it minimizes the son's emotions by focusing on generalizations. It lacks the reflective quality necessary for therapeutic communication in this situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Grooming is correct. Grooming assesses the client's personal care and hygiene, providing insight into their ability to perform self-care activities.
Choice B Reason:
Long-term memory is correct. Evaluating long-term memory helps assess the client's ability to recall past events and information, which can be affected in individuals with dementia.
Choice C Reason:
Support systems is incorrect. While support systems are crucial in the overall care of individuals with dementia, they are not typically assessed in a traditional MSE.
Choice D Reason:
Affecting is correct. Affect refers to the client's emotional expression. Assessing affect helps in understanding the client's emotional state, which can be important in diagnosing and managing dementia.
Choice E Reason:
Presence of pain is incorrect. While assessing pain is essential in clinical care, it may be more pertinent to a physical assessment than a mental status examination specifically focused on cognitive functioning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
"It might help you feel better if you talk about it." While encouraging communication is generally good, the client has clearly expressed a desire not to talk at the moment. Pressuring them to talk may not be beneficial.
Choice B Reason:
"I'll just sit here with you for a few minutes then." This response acknowledges the client's need for solitude while showing a willingness to provide presence and support. It respects the client's autonomy and allows them to lead the interaction.
Choice C Reason:
"I understand; I've felt like that before, too." While expressing empathy can be helpful, it's important not to overshadow the client's experience by sharing personal feelings at this moment.
Choice D Reason:
"Why are you feeling so down?" This question may feel intrusive and may not be well-received by the client, especially when they've indicated a preference not to talk. It's important to approach the conversation with sensitivity and respect for the client's boundaries.
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