A nurse is meeting with a newly established therapy group for the first time. The nurse notes that members appear uncomfortable and are reluctant to speak. How should the nurse respond to this observation?

Question

A) "I feel uncomfortable with this silence. How do all of you feel about it?"
B) "We have 1 hour. It's alright if we spend the hour in silence, as long as that's what everyone wants."
C) "I notice everyone is quiet. Kyle, would you like to tell us what's on your mind today?"
D) "I notice that everyone is pretty quiet. This is common in new groups and is perfectly okay. Who would like to share how they feel right now?"

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
Initial anxiety in a group, demonstrated by silence, fidgeting, nervous movement, and selective hearing, is best lessened by giving "strokes" for positive interaction and helping the clients establish roles in the group. The nurse does not want to single out a particular member when anxiety is high initially. The competent nurse should not experience discomfort with silence, recognizing its purpose. The nurse facilitates involvement rather than condones lack of involvement.