Therapeutic Communication
This open-ended technique involves repeating the main idea of what the client just said to clarify understanding.
What is restating (or paraphrasing)?
This is the priority nursing intervention for a client experiencing a manic episode who is pacing the halls.
What is providing a quiet, low-stimulation environment (or high-calorie finger foods)?
This is the most common defense mechanism used by clients with substance use disorders to avoid facing their problem.
What is denial?
This is the nurse's first priority when a client is in an active crisis or exhibiting escalating aggression.
What is safety (of the client and others)?
This stage of grief, according to Kübler-Ross, involves the client trying to "make a deal" with a higher power to prolong life.
What is bargaining?
The nurse should avoid asking questions that start with this word, as it often makes clients feel defensive.
What is "Why"?
A client with Schizophrenia who remains in one fixed position for hours is exhibiting this behavior.
What is waxy flexibility (or catatonia)?
These symptoms, including tremors, tachycardia, and hallucinations, usually begin 48–72 hours after the last drink in a person with severe alcohol use disorder.
What is Delirium Tremens (DTs)?
This type of crisis occurs during normal life transitions, such as getting married, retiring, or having a baby.
What is a maturational (or developmental) crisis?
This is the primary goal of "milieu therapy" in an inpatient psychiatric unit.
What is to provide a safe, therapeutic, and structured environment?
This therapeutic technique involves the nurse sitting quietly with a distraught client without speaking.
What is using silence?
This is the most important question to ask a client who expresses feelings of hopelessness or "giving up."
What is "Are you thinking of hurting yourself?" (Direct suicide assessment).
A client in opioid withdrawal would likely exhibit these types of pupils.
What is dilated (Mydriasis)? (Pinpoint pupils occur during overdose).
Following a traumatic event, a client who experiences flashbacks, hypervigilance, and nightmares is likely suffering from this.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
The nurse suspects this type of abuse when a vulnerable adult appears malnourished, has poor hygiene, and is missing medical appointments.
What is neglect?
When a client says, "I'm a failure," and the nurse responds, "You feel like you haven't met your goals," the nurse is using this technique.
What is reflection?
This personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of unstable relationships, impulsivity, and fear of abandonment.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
This medication is often prescribed as "aversion therapy" because it causes severe nausea and vomiting if the client consumes alcohol.
What is Disulfiram (Antabuse)?
When a client is in a state of "Panic" level anxiety, the nurse should use these types of sentences.
What are short, simple, and direct sentences?
To assess a client’s social support system, the nurse should ask this specific question.
What is "Who do you call when you need help?"
A client tells the nurse, "The FBI is listening to us through the TV." The nurse responds, "I don't see any FBI, but I understand that this is real to you." This is known as this technique.
What is presenting reality?
A nurse should monitor for this life-threatening reaction in clients taking antipsychotics, characterized by high fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
This term describes a family member who unknowingly facilitates a client’s substance abuse by "covering" for them or making excuses.
What is a co-dependent?
This defense mechanism involves a person redirecting their anger from a boss onto their spouse or children.
What is displacement?
This is the term for a nurse’s unconscious emotional response to a client based on the nurse’s own past relationships.
What is countertransference?