Which statement best reflects the nurse's therapeutic use of self with a patient who is refusing to take his or her ordered medications?

Question

1. "Can you tell me what concerns you have about medications?"
2. "If you refuse your medications, you will just get sick again."
3. "Refusing your medications is your right, but it won't get you out of here."
4. "If you won't take your medication, I can't help you!"

Answer 1

Answer: 1
Explanation: Nurses who engage in self-reflection and self-awareness are able to maintain a therapeutic focus on the patient. Asking the patient to clarify concerns about medications shows that the nurse recognizes the patient's goals may be different from the nurse's. Telling the patient that refusing medications will result in getting ill or prevent discharge conveys that the nurse is threatened by the patient's assertiveness and has lost focus on the patient. Suggesting that the nurse cannot help the patient unless the patient takes the medication indicates the nurse is focused on the nurse more than the patient and may also constitute an implied threat that the nurse will refuse care to the patient.