A patient states, “I don’t know what the pills are for or why I am taking them, so I don’t want them.”

What therapeutic communication would help this patient?

The nurse’s ability to listen and observe the client’s verbal and non-verbal messages. Effective communication in the mental health setting requires the nurse to actively listen to the client and to pay close attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. By doing so, the nurse can better understand the client’s needs and concerns and can provide appropriate support and guidance.

While the nurse’s understanding of mental health disorders (b) and their relationship with the client (d) can also play a role in effective communication, the ability to listen and observe is a fundamental skill that is essential for effective therapeutic communication. The client’s ability to communicate (a) is also important, but it is ultimately the nurse’s responsibility to use effective communication techniques to facilitate the therapeutic process.

A. Hospitals:While some mentally ill individuals may be treated in psychiatric hospitals today, historically, they were often housed in asylums, which were institutions specifically designated for the long-term care of those with mental illnesses.

B. Free-standing care centers:Free-standing care centers are a more modern concept for community-based care or outpatient services, not a term used historically for institutions that housed the mentally ill.

C. Long-term care facilities:Long-term care facilities typically refer to places that provide care for elderly individuals or those with chronic illnesses, but not specifically for mental illness in the historical context.

D. Asylums:Historically, individuals with mental illness were housed in asylums, which were often large institutions where they received care but were sometimes subject to poor conditions and inadequate treatment. Over time, the concept of mental health care shifted toward more humane and community-based approaches.