A patient is prescribed morphine sulfate 5 mg IV every 4 hours as needed for a pain level greater than 7 on a scale of 0-10. Morphine is available in 8 mg/mL vials. How many mL will the nurse give for the correct dose?

Round to the nearest hundredth. Use a preceding zero if necessary. Do not use trailing zeros.

Choice A Reason:

While this response attempts to offer support, it makes an assumption about the mother’s understanding without addressing the client’s feelings directly. Therapeutic communication should focus on validating the client’s emotions and encouraging them to express their thoughts and feelings. This response might not fully acknowledge the client’s distress.

Choice B Reason:

This response normalizes the client’s feelings, which can be helpful, but it does not directly address the client’s specific concern. While it is important to reassure the client that their feelings are common, the response should also validate their individual experience and encourage further discussion.

Choice C Reason:

Encouraging the client to talk to their mother is a proactive suggestion, but it may not be the most therapeutic initial response. The client might not be ready to take that step, and the nurse should first focus on understanding and validating the client’s feelings before suggesting actions. This response could be more appropriate as a follow-up after the client’s feelings have been explored.

Choice D Reason:

This response is the most therapeutic because it uses reflective listening to validate the client’s feelings. By restating what the client has expressed, the nurse shows empathy and encourages the client to explore their emotions further. This technique helps the client feel heard and understood, which is crucial in therapeutic communication.

Choice A Reason:

“There is no such thing as the devil. It’s all in your mind.”

This response dismisses the client’s experience and can make them feel invalidated. Telling the client that their experience is “all in your mind” does not acknowledge their distress and can increase their feelings of isolation and mistrust. It is important to validate the client’s feelings while gently orienting them to reality.

Choice B Reason:

“You are not going to hell. You are a good person.”

While this response is supportive, it does not address the client’s immediate distress about hearing voices. It is important to acknowledge the client’s experience of hearing voices and provide reassurance in a way that helps them feel understood and supported. Simply telling them they are a good person may not alleviate their anxiety about the voices.

Choice C Reason:

“Did you take your medicine this morning?”

Asking about medication adherence is important, but it is not the most appropriate immediate response to the client’s distress. This question can come across as dismissive and may not provide the immediate comfort and validation the client needs. It is better to first acknowledge the client’s experience and then address medication adherence later.

Choice D Reason:

“The voices sound distressing, but I don’t hear them.”

This is the correct response. It acknowledges the client’s distress and validates their experience without reinforcing the delusion. By stating that the nurse does not hear the voices, it gently orients the client to reality while showing empathy and understanding. This approach helps build trust and provides comfort to the client.