03 Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Client Relationship Free Online FlashCards

What is the purpose of a therapeutic nurse–client relationship?

It is a purposeful professional partnership that builds trust, supports safety, and helps the client participate in care while respecting their autonomy.

What are key tasks in the orientation phase?

Introduce yourself and your role, explain the interaction’s purpose, identify the client’s concerns, protect privacy, and agree on immediate goals.

What happens during the working phase?

Explore the client’s concerns, feelings, strengths, and coping strategies; provide care and information; and work toward agreed goals.

How should the termination phase be handled?

Close the relationship clearly, review progress, summarize next steps, and arrange follow-up as appropriate. At shift end, explain who will continue the care.

What should a nurse attend to beyond a client’s words?

Attend to words, tone, facial expression, posture, and actions. Use plain language and adapt communication to the client’s culture, language, sensory needs, and preferences.

What should a nurse do before touching a client?

Ask before touching. Touch can be distressing, especially for someone with a trauma history.

What does an open-ended question encourage?

An open-ended question invites the client to describe their experience, such as, “What has been hardest for you today?”

How can silence support therapeutic communication?

Silence gives the client time to think or feel. Remain attentive instead of rushing to fill the pause.

How does teach-back check a client’s understanding?

Ask the client to explain the plan in their own words. This checks understanding; correct misunderstandings without blaming the client.

How does motivational interviewing support behavior change?

Use reflective listening, open questions, and summaries to explore the client’s own reasons and confidence for change. Avoid pressure and ask permission before offering information.

Which responses can block therapeutic communication?

Avoid false reassurance, unsolicited advice, blame, arguing, changing the subject, excessive questioning, and minimizing. Acknowledge the concern and explore options together.

Does empathy require agreement with a client?

Empathy means trying to understand the client’s perspective; it does not require agreeing with every belief or action.