Therapeutic Communication Techniques

Question 1

Indicating reception; nurse has heard and followed the train of thought

Answer 1

Accepting

Question 2

Allowing the client to take the initiative in introducing the topic

Answer 2

Broad Opening

Question 3

Searching for mutual understanding in the meaning of the words

Answer 3

Consensual Validation

Question 4

Asking similarities and differences be noted

Answer 4

Encouraging Comparison

Question 5

Asking client to verbalize what he or she perceives; encourage the client to fully describe ideas

Answer 5

Encouraging Description of Perceptions

Question 6

Asking the client to appraise the quality of his or her experiences; nurse ask client to consider people and events in light or her own values - encourages the client to make his or her own appraisal rather than to accept the opinion of others

Answer 6

Encouraging expression

Question 7

Delving further into a subject or an idea

Answer 7

Exploring

Question 8

Concentrating on a single point

Answer 8

Focusing

Question 9

Asking the client to consider kinds of behavior likely to be appropriate in future situations

Answer 9

Formulating a Plan of Action

Question 10

Giving encouragement to continue

Answer 10

General Leads

Question 11

Making the facts available to the client; increases the patient’s knowledge about a topic and lets the client know what to expect

Answer 11

Giving Information

Question 12

Acknowledging, indicating awareness - noting efforts the client has made

Answer 12

Giving Recognition

Question 13

Verbalizing what the nurse perceives

Answer 13

Making Observations

Question 14

Making oneself available

Answer 14

Offering Self

Question 15

Clarifying the relationship of events in time - client may gain insight into cause-and-effect behavior and consequences

Answer 15

Placing event in time or sequence

Question 16

Offering for consideration that which is real

Answer 16

Presenting Reality

Question 17

Directing client actions, thoughts, and feelings back to client - encourages the client to recognize and accept his or her own feelings

Answer 17

Reflecting

Question 18

Nurse is seeking to make clear that which is not meaningful or that which is vague

Answer 18

Seeking Information

Question 19

Repeating the main idea expressed

Answer 19

Restating

Question 20

Absence of verbal communication, provides time for client to put thoughts or feelings into words, to regain composure, or to continue talking

Answer 20

Silence

Question 21

Offering to share, to strive, and to work with the client

Answer 21

Suggesting Collaboration

Question 22

Organizing and summing up that which has gone before - seeks to increase awareness and understanding of both participants

Answer 22

Summarizing

Question 23

Seeking to verbalize client’s feelings that he or she expresses only indirectly

Answer 23

Translating into feelings

Question 24

Voicing what the client has hinted at or suggested; putting into words what the client has implied or said

Answer 24

Verbalizing the implied

Question 25

Expressing uncertainty about the reality of the client’s perceptions; another means of responding to distortions of reality

Answer 25

Voicing doubt