A patient tells the nurse, "My doctor thinks my problems with stress relate to the negative way I think about things and suggested I learn new ways of thinking." Which response by the nurse would support the recommendation?
A) Encourage the patient to imagine being in calm circumstances.
B) Provide the patient with a blank journal and guidance about journaling.
C) Teach the patient to recognize, reconsider, and reframe irrational thoughts.
D) Teach the patient to use instruments that give feedback about bodily functions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive reframing focuses on recognizing and correcting maladaptive patterns of thinking that create stress or interfere with coping. Cognitive reframing involves recognizing the habit of thinking about a situation or issue in a fixed, irrational, and unquestioning manner. Helping the patient to recognize and reframe (reword) such thoughts so that they are realistic and accurate promotes coping and reduces stress. Thinking about being in calming circumstances is a form of guided imagery. Instruments that give feedback about bodily functions are used in biofeedback. Journaling is effective for helping to increase self-awareness. However, none of these last three interventions is likely to alter the patient's manner of thinking.

A Patient Tells the Nurse, "My Doctor Thinks My Problems