During the first session of an Alzheimer disease support group for family members, the nurse recognizes the need to

Question

a. encourage member contributions and emphasize cooperation in recognizing each person's talents related to group goals.
b. accept differences in member perceptions as being normal and growth producing.
c. encourage group members to introduce themselves and share a little of their background or their reason for coming to the group.
d. link constructive themes while stating the nature of the disagreement.

Answer 1

ANS: C
The forming phase in therapeutic groups focuses on helping clients establish trust in the group and with each other. Communication is tentative. Members are asked to introduce themselves and share a little of their background or their reason for coming to the group. Once initial conflict is resolved in the storming phase, the group moves into the norming phase. Group-specific norms have developed from discussions in the previous phase. The leader encourages member contributions and emphasizes cooperation in recognizing each person's talents related to group goals. The storming phase helps group members move to a deeper level. In the storming phase, the gloves come off and communication can become controversial. The leader plays an important facilitative role in the storming phase by accepting differences in member perceptions as being normal and growth producing. By affirming genuine strengths in individual members, leaders model handling conflict with productive outcomes. Linking constructive themes while stating the nature of the disagreement is an effective modeling strategy.