Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

If a patient expresses anger about a treatment group, which response best demonstrates clarification?

1. "Can you tell me what about the treatment group made you angry?"

2. "Why are you upset? Attending the treatment group will help you get well."

3. "It sounds like group today was pretty upsetting."

4. "Treatment groups have been carefully planned by the staff to help patients."

The correct answer is: "Can you tell me what about the treatment group made you angry?"

The response "Can you tell me what about the treatment group made you angry?" is the best demonstration of clarification because it invites the patient to express their feelings and specifically identify the source of their anger. This type of response shows that the nurse is actively listening and is interested in understanding the patient's perspective. By asking a clarifying question, the nurse encourages open communication, allowing the patient to explore their emotions further and clarifying any misconceptions or concerns regarding the treatment group. In contrast, the other responses do not effectively seek clarification. Asking "Why are you upset? Attending the treatment group will help you get well," could sound dismissive and fails to probe the specific reasons for the patient's anger. Saying "It sounds like group today was pretty upsetting," offers reflection but doesn’t engage the patient to discuss their feelings further or seek deeper understanding. Finally, stating, "Treatment groups have been carefully planned by the staff to help patients," provides information but does not address the patient’s emotions or seek clarification on their specific experience with the treatment group.