nontherapeutic communication techniques

Question 1

advising

Answer 1

telling the client what to do

-“I think you should…”
-“Why don’t you…”

Question 2

agreeing

Answer 2

indicating accord with the client

-“that’s right”
-“I agree”

Question 3

belittling feelings expressed

Answer 3

misjudging the degree of the client’s discomfort

-client: “I have nothing to live for..I wish I was dead.”
nurse: “everybody gets down in the dumps”

Question 4

challenging

Answer 4

demanding proof from the client

-“but how can you be president of the USA?”
-“If you’re dead, why is your heart beating”

Question 5

defending

Answer 5

attempting to protect someone or something from verbal attack

-“I’m sure your doctor has your best interests in mind”

Question 6

disagreeing

Answer 6

opposing the client’s ideas

-“That’s wrong.”
-“I definitely disagree with…”

Question 7

disapproving

Answer 7

denouncing the client’s behavior or ideas

-“That’s bad”
-“I’d rather you wouldn’t…”

Question 8

giving approval

Answer 8

sanctioning the client’s behavior or ideas

-“That’s good”
-“im glad that..”

Question 9

giving literal responses

Answer 9

responding to a figurative comment as though it were a statement of fact

-client: “they’re looking in my head with a television camera”
nurse: “try not to watch television” or “what channel?”

Question 10

indicating the existence of an external source

Answer 10

attributing the source of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to others or to outside sources

-“what makes you say that?”
-“What made you do that?”
-“who told you that you were a prophet?”

Question 11

introducing an unrelated topic

Answer 11

the nurse takes the initiative for interaction away from the client

-client: “I’d like to die.”
nurse: “did you last evening?”

Question 12

making stereotyped comments

Answer 12

offering meaningless cliches or trite comments

-“keep your chin up”
-“just have a positive attitude and you’ll be better in no time.”

Question 13

probing

Answer 13

persistent questioning of the client

-“Now tell me about this problem. You know I have to find out.”

Question 14

reassuring

Answer 14

indicating there is no reason for anxiety or other feelings of discomfort

-“I wouldn’t worry about that.”
-“Everything will be alright.”

Question 15

rejecting

Answer 15

refusing to consider or showing contempt for the clients ideas or behaviors

-“let’s not discuss…”
-“I dont want to hear about…”

Question 16

requesting an explanation

Answer 16

asking the client to provide reasons for thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and events

-“why do you think that”
-“why do you feel that way?”

Question 17

testing

Answer 17

appraising the client’s degree of insight

-“do you know what kind of hospital this is?”
-“do you still have the idea that…”

Question 18

using denial

Answer 18

refusing to admit that a problem exists

-client: “I am nothing”
nurse: “Of course you’re something. Everybody’s something.”