An adolescent client is brought to the emergency department by the parents after being found making superficial cuts along the side of an arm with a razor blade. There are several minor cuts in various stages of healing on the client's forearms. Which statements are appropriate for the nurse to make to the client's parents? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nurses use therapeutic communication to provide support for clients and families and allow them to express thoughts and feelings. Broad openings and relevant questions can help uncover important information that will assist with decision making (Option B). Therapeutic communication gives relevant information to the parents about the physical condition of the client to help alleviate their anxiety (Option C). Empathetic statements establish trust and encourage expression of feelings (Option E). therapeutic communication Self-injury (eg, cutting) in adolescence is commonly a coping mechanism used when a client is emotionally overwhelmed. Although not necessarily a suicide attempt, it is a clear indication that this client is unable to process current stressors in life and needs formal assessment by a mental health care provider with experience in adolescent psychiatry. (Option A) Giving false reassurance (eg, "Everything is going to be alright.") is nontherapeutic communication as it implies that there is no cause for concern and provides no specific information about this client's condition. nontherapeutic communication (Option D) Asking judgmental questions (eg, "Why didn't you bring your child in sooner?") is nontherapeutic as it may cause the client's parents to be defensive, thereby hampering communication. Educational objective: Providing relevant information, using empathetic statements, communicating with broad openings, and asking relevant questions are forms of therapeutic communication. These methods foster trust, allow expression of feelings, and elicit important information to assist with decision making.

An Adolescent Client Is Brought to the Emergency Department by the Parents