When a client says "I can't focus, my mind keep wandering" then the nurse replies saying "you are having difficulty concentrating?". This is the example of which communication technique?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Paraphrasing is a therapeutic communication technique where the nurse restates the client's message in their own, often more concise, words.
The nurse's response, "you are having difficulty concentrating?", accurately rephrases the client's statement, "I can't focus, my mind keep wandering.".
This technique validates the client's feelings, confirms the nurse's understanding, and encourages the client to elaborate on their concern.
It is a key component of active listening and helps to build a trusting nurse-client relationship.

Option A: Summarising involves condensing the key points of a longer conversation. The nurse's response is an immediate reaction to a single statement, not a summary of an entire interaction.
Option C: Focusing is used to guide the conversation toward a specific, important topic, especially if the client is rambling or avoiding a key issue. The nurse's statement here is a clarification, not a redirection.
Option D: Confronting is a technique used to point out discrepancies or inconsistencies in a client's words or actions. The nurse's response is supportive and clarifying, not challenging.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Prioritize focused assessment, early escalation, and real-time monitoring when managing Therapeutic Communication Techniques in acute care settings.
Using paraphrasing correctly is essential for building a therapeutic nurse-client relationship. It demonstrates empathy and active listening, making the client feel heard and understood.
This technique helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures the nurse gathers accurate assessment data, which is critical for effective care planning.
What if? If the client had said, "I'm not sleeping, I'm not eating, and I'm worried all the time," and the nurse responded, "It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed by several issues," this would be an example of summarizing, as it pulls together multiple elements of the client's distress.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the interaction presented in the question. Identify the client's statement and the nurse's response.
Client's statement: "I can't focus, my mind keep wandering." The core message is difficulty with concentration.
Nurse's response: "you are having difficulty concentrating?". This is a restatement of the client's message.
Next, review the definitions of the communication techniques provided in the options.
Compare the nurse's action (restating the client's message in different words) with the definitions.
The action directly matches the definition of Paraphrasing. The other options (Summarising, Focusing, Confronting) describe different types of interactions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Stem keywords: communication technique, can't focus, mind keep wandering, difficulty concentrating
Lead-in keywords: example of which

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 122-124

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 84-86

Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.