What is it?
What does self disclosure mean in nursing?
When a nurse shares personal information or experiences with a client
Nurse says “I had that surgery too. It was awful. I couldn’t sleep for days.” Appropriate or not?
Not appropriate, focusses on the nurse‘s negative experience
A patient shares her divorce story. The nurse just went through one too. What should the nurse do?
Avoid Oversharing, listen empathetically and focus on the patient’s emotions
Self disclosure always improves patient trust
False, only when used carefully and professionally
What is the first thing a nurse should ask themselves before self disclosing to a patient?
Will this benefit the patient and strengthen the therapeutic relationship?
What is the main goal of self disclosure in a therapeutic relationship?
To support or comfort the patient and strengthen trust or rapport
Nurse says “I felt anxious before my own procedure asking questions helped. What helps you?” Appropriate or not?
Appropriate: brief, supportive, and redirects to patient
A patient says “I’m so scared of my surgery.” The nurse shares her own hospital story for five minutes. What’s the issue?
The nurse over disclosed, it shifted focus from the patient to herself.
Self-disclosure can be used to show empathy and build rapport
True, if it’s relevant and limited
What is the main ethical principle violated when a nurse shares personal problems with a patient for emotional support?
Professional boundaries/non-maleficence, it can cause emotional harm or burden the patient
What is one risk of using self disclosure inappropriately?
It can shift focus away from the patient blur boundaries or make the patient uncomfortable
Nurse says “I’ve been divorced to my ex was terrible.“ Appropriate or not?
Not appropriate, to personal and irrelevant to the patient’s care
A patient is struggling with anxiety. The nurse says “I’ve had anxiety, too, deep breathing helped me. Would you like to try it?“ Appropriate or not?
Appropriate, brief, relevant, and support of a patient care.
It’s OK for a nurse to share personal trauma stories to help patients feel less alone
False, that’s too personal and can cross boundaries
Which CNO professional standards specifically guides appropriate self disclosure
Therapeutic nurse, client relationship standard. Focusses on maintaining boundaries and keeping interactions Patient centered.
According to Peplau’s theory, self disclosure is acceptable during which phase of the nurse patient relationship?
The working phase, when trust and rapport have already been established
A nurse tells a patient she’s going through a divorce because the patient mentioned their marriage problems. Appropriate or not?
Not appropriate, too personal and unrelated to patient care
During a night shift, a patient in withdrawal says “you don’t understand addiction.“ The nurse has been sober for six years. What’s the most therapeutic response?
Acknowledge the feeling, “it sounds like you feel misunderstood. Tell me more about that.” (Avoid revealing personal recovery history)
The college of nurses of Ontario considers self disclosure a boundary crossing if it shifts focus to the nurse.
True, it violates professional boundaries if it serves the nurses needs
During a long hospital stay, a patient asks the nurse to share personal social-media accounts. The nurse feels pressured, but doesn’t want to upset the patient. What is the most ethical response?
Politely decline and explain that professional boundaries, protect both nurse and patient, redirect conversation back to the patient’s care.
What is the difference between therapeutic self disclosure and countertransference?
Therapeutic disclosure, benefits the patient and maintains boundaries, countertransference meets the nurses emotional needs and shifts the focus away from the patient
A nurse with lived experience of depression, briefly, mentions it to a patient with similar struggles to normalize help seeking, then asks, “have you found any supports that work for you?” Appropriate or not?
Appropriate, short, purposeful, supportive, and re-focuses on patient strengths
A nurse in mental health, discloses her past anxiety to reduce stigma. Later, the patient becomes dependent and keeps asking about the nurses experience. What should the nurse do?
Reestablish boundaries, remind the patient that the focus is their care and redirect discussion to the patient’s coping strategies.
According to Carl Rogers, appropriate self disclosure can demonstrate congruence and empathy when it’s honest, limited, and patient-focused
True, congruence means authenticity, empathy means understanding the clients frame of reference
A psychiatric nurse discloses their own recovery story to inspire a client. The disclosure initially helps, but the patient later becomes emotionally dependent. According to Peplau’s theory, what boundary phase issue is occurring and how should the nurse intervene
The relationship has moved toward over-involvement in the working phase. The nurse should reestablish, professional boundaries, refocus goals on the client, and seek supervision to reflect on countertransference.