A nurse is preparing a presentation at a community center about complementary and alternative therapies. Which of the following therapies should the nurse describe as the use of an electronic monitoring device to help clients learn to control physical responses to stress?

Choice A Reason:

It is extremely important to maintain professional boundaries with clients.

Maintaining professional boundaries is crucial in nursing to ensure a therapeutic and trusting relationship between the nurse and the client. Crossing these boundaries can lead to ethical issues and compromise the care provided. In this scenario, the nurse allowed personal relationships to influence professional behavior, which is inappropriate and can undermine the client’s trust and the integrity of the nurse-client relationship.

Choice B Reason:

Countertransference may have been a factor in your actions with this client.

Countertransference occurs when a nurse’s personal feelings and experiences influence their professional interactions with a client. In this case, the nurse’s familiarity with the client as a childhood friend of a sibling may have led to biased actions, such as allowing the use of a personal mobile device and sharing confidential information. Recognizing and managing countertransference is essential to maintain objectivity and provide unbiased care.

Choice C Reason:

It would have been better if you called your sibling instead of texting.

This statement is not relevant to the primary issues at hand. Whether the nurse called or texted their sibling does not change the fact that sharing the client’s hospitalization status was a breach of confidentiality. The focus should be on the inappropriate disclosure of protected health information, not the method of communication.

Choice D Reason:

Policies can be amended for clients who are admitted voluntarily, not involuntarily.

This statement is incorrect. Policies regarding the use of personal mobile devices and confidentiality apply to all clients, regardless of whether they are admitted voluntarily or involuntarily. The nurse’s actions violated these policies, and the distinction between voluntary and involuntary admission does not justify the breach.

Choice E Reason:

You have violated HIPAA regulations by notifying your sibling of the client’s admission.

This is the correct response. The nurse violated HIPAA regulations by disclosing the client’s hospitalization status to their sibling without the client’s consent. HIPAA protects the privacy of individuals’ health information, and unauthorized disclosure is a serious violation that can result in legal and professional consequences.

Choice A Reason:

Restating involves repeating what the client has said in order to show understanding and to encourage them to continue talking. This technique helps to clarify the client’s thoughts and feelings, ensuring that the nurse accurately understands the client’s message. It also demonstrates active listening and empathy, which are crucial components of therapeutic communication.

Choice B Reason:

Giving advice is generally considered a non-therapeutic communication technique. It can imply that the nurse knows best and can undermine the client’s autonomy and decision-making abilities. Instead of giving advice, therapeutic communication focuses on helping clients explore their own thoughts and feelings to arrive at their own conclusions and solutions.

Choice C Reason:

Maintaining neutral responses involves responding to the client in a way that does not convey judgment or bias. This technique helps to create a safe and supportive environment where the client feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. Neutral responses can include nodding, making non-committal sounds like “mm-hmm,” and using phrases like “I see” or “Tell me more”.

Choice D Reason:

Asking the client “Why?” can be perceived as confrontational or judgmental, which can hinder open communication. It may make the client feel defensive or uncomfortable. Instead, therapeutic communication techniques involve asking open-ended questions that encourage the client to express themselves without feeling judged.

Choice E Reason:

Listening is one of the most fundamental therapeutic communication techniques. It involves giving the client your full attention, showing interest in what they are saying, and responding appropriately to their concerns. Active listening helps to build trust and rapport, making the client feel heard and understood.