A patient says, "The other nurses won't give me my medication early, but you know what it's like to be in pain and don't let your patients suffer. Could you get me my pill now? I won't tell anyone." Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic?
a. "I'm not comfortable doing that," and then ignore subsequent requests for early medication.
b. "I understand that you have pain, but giving medicine too soon would not be safe."
c. "I'll have to check with your doctor about that; I will get back to you after I do."
d. "It would be unsafe to give the medicine early; none of us will do that."
ANS: B
The patient is attempting to manipulate the nurse. Empathetic mirroring reflects back to the patient the nurse's understanding of the patient's distress or situation in a neutral manner that does not judge it and helps elicit a more positive response to the limit that is being set. The other options would not be nontherapeutic; they lack the empathetic mirroring component that tends to elicit a more positive response from the patient.
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