A prostitute with HIV and severe complications is being cared for on a

A prostitute with HIV and severe complications is being cared for on a medical unit. The nurse is seeking to develop a therapeutic relationship with the client.

Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse’s attempt to support the client’s self-exploration?
1. “What type of support do you feel you need?”
2. “Don’t be embarrassed by your former occupation.”
3. “What type of schedule could allow you to eat without being nauseated?”
4. “The people who work here are professionals; we’ll not judge your past actions.”

ANSWER

ANS: 1
Encouraging the client’s self-exploration by asking about the type of support needed is achieved by accepting the client’s thoughts and feelings, by helping the client to clarify interactions with others, and by being empathetic. Telling the client not to be embarrassed does not encourage self-exploration. It also assumes that the client is embarrassed, which may not be the case. Asking about the type of schedule involves the client in a decision-making process related to the client’s care, but does not support the client’s self-exploration. Self-exploration expands self-awareness. Telling the client that staff will not try to judge the client’s past is not therapeutic and implies judgment is due and does not encourage open communication and self-exploration.