A woman is discussing the problems she is having with her 2-year-old son. She says, "He won't go to sleep at night, and during the day he has several fits. I get so upset when that happens." The nurse's best verbal response would be:
a. "Go on, I'm listening."
b. "Fits? Tell me what you mean by this."
c. "Yes, it can be upsetting when a child has a fit."
d. "Don't be upset when he has a fit; every 2 year old has fits."
ANS: B
The nurse should use clarification when the person's word choice is ambiguous or confusing (e.g., "Tell me what you mean by fits."). Clarification is also used to summarize the person's words or to simplify the words to make them clearer; the nurse should then ask if he or she is on the right track.
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