The nurse is working with a client who appears unwilling to explore a specific topic during the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, by continually changing the subject. Which of the following nursing strategies would be most helpful?

Question

1. Clarify the client's refusal to explore the topic by labeling it as resistance.
2. Accept the client's refusal to talk about the topic by changing the subject.
3. Allow the client to decide the appropriate time to explore the topic.
4. Insist the client discuss the topic by examining the origin of the behavior.

Answer 1

1
Rationale: Clarifying the client's refusal to explore a topic by properly labeling it as resistance will encourage open discussion of the resistant behavior and foster development of insight. Allowing the client to decide the appropriate time to discuss the topic, or accepting the resistant behavior, will further impede and delay the therapeutic process. Insisting the client discuss the topic may produce the opposite effect and the client may become hostile or silent.