A new nurse tells her mentor, "I worry all the time about how clients view me. I wonder if I'm performing as well as other nurses. These questions and self-doubts get in the way when I'm communicating with clients."
The most helpful remark the mentor can make is:
1. "Everyone is self-conscious at first. Just grin and bear with it."
2. "I know how you're feeling. I was so anxious that I sweated all the time."
3. "Try to maintain your focus on the client while you're with him or her."
4. "Relax. You're not expected to be a therapist after the first 2 weeks."
ANS: 3
Focusing on the client instead of on oneself usually reduces worry about performance. Think about what the client is saying, show genuine concern, and strive to use therapeutic communica-tion techniques that place the focus squarely on the client. Options 1, 2, and 4 provide meaning-less reassurance, rather than actual help.
You might also like to view...
Nurses understand that when caring for patients with mental illnesses, a nurse's communication is (select all that apply):
A. An active process that includes participating and listening and speaking. B. A complex activity. C. Exchanging information. D. Verbal and nonverbal. E. A one way path from nurse to patient. F. Advising.
The nurse is caring for a child undergoing highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection. The nurse is preparing to administer the prescribed medication
In addition to the nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and the non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), the nurse knows that the child will be taking which of the following medications as part of the three-drug regimen? A) Protease inhibitors B) Corticosteroids C) Cytotoxic drugs D) Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Which action involves both legal and ethical issues for the nurse?
a. Abortion c. Assisted suicide b. Informed consent d. Fetal surgery
The client who will undergo a lumbar puncture has her skin cleansed with chlorhexidine. What is the nurse's best response when asked why this solution is used to clean the skin?
A. "Chlorhexidine has sustained antimicrobial activity after application." B. "Chlorhexidine acts as a local anesthetic to reduce the pain of this procedure." C. "Chlorhexidine helps desensitize the skin so there is less allergic reaction." D. "Ordinary soap would be a fine alternative to chlorhexidine."