During a health history, the nurse should use therapeutic communication when asking about substance abuse. Which of the following is essential to establish a trusting nurse–patient relationship?

Question

1. Informing the patient that substance abuse is a sin
2. Avoiding communicating disapproval of indicated substance abuse
3. Ensuring that the patient's mother and father are at the bedside
4. Avoiding shocked facial expressions

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: Informing the patient that substance abuse is a sin is being judgmental.
Rationale 2: The nurse should firmly communicate disapproval of any indicated substance abuse.
Rationale 3: Patients might be less likely to inform the nurse of a hidden substance abuse problem in the presence of family members.
Rationale 4: The nurse should be nonjudgmental.
Global Rationale: The nurse should be nonjudgmental but should firmly communicate disapproval of any indicated substance abuse. Informing the patient that substance abuse is a sin is being judgmental. Patients might be less likely to inform the nurse of a hidden substance abuse problem in the presence of family members.