Prozac 30mg PO is ordered for a client.

Prozac is available in 10mg tablets.

How many tablets will you administer?

Choice A rationale
This response encourages the patient to express their feelings and promotes open communication. It is a therapeutic communication technique.
Choice B rationale
This response shows empathy and validates the patient’s feelings. It is a therapeutic communication technique.
Choice C rationale
This response could obstruct effective communication as it tells the patient what they should do. It does not encourage the patient to express their feelings or promote open communication.
Choice D rationale
This response could obstruct effective communication as it offers false reassurance. It does not acknowledge the patient’s feelings or concerns.

Choice A rationale
Telling the patient to be quiet and sit down immediately may seem like a quick solution, but it is not the most therapeutic response. This approach may come across as dismissive and authoritarian, which could escalate the patient’s agitation.
Choice B rationale
This is the most appropriate initial intervention. By expressing a desire to understand the patient’s feelings, the nurse opens up a line of communication and shows empathy. This can help de-escalate the situation and make the patient feel heard and understood.
Choice C rationale
Telling the patient to go to their room and control themselves can come across as dismissive and invalidating. It does not address the patient’s feelings or concerns and may escalate the situation.
Choice D rationale
Asking “What is going on?” is a good way to encourage the patient to express their feelings, but it may not be as effective as Choice B. The phrasing in Choice B is more direct and shows more empathy and concern for the patient’s emotional state.