A client in an inpatient setting has a delusion that there are a multitude of noxious gases in circulation that have the potential to poison him and that these are undetectable. Which of the nurse's following responses is most therapeutic?
A) "There are actually no poison gases in the atmosphere that we don't know about."
B) "Why do you think that you keep insisting on this belief?"
C) "I can assure you that you are actually very safe here."
D) "If we detect a poison gas here, I promise that you'll be the first to know."
Ans: C
Assuring a client of his or her safety is a more therapeutic intervention than expressing exasperation with the client's delusions, arguing against them, or implicitly confirming them.
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