NCLEX · Therapeutic Communication

A nurse repeats the main idea a client has expressed, in the nurse's own words, to confirm understanding. This therapeutic technique is called:

Correct answer

Restating or paraphrasing

  1. A Changing the subject
  2. B False reassurance
  3. C Giving advice
  4. D Restating or paraphrasing

Why this is the answer

Restating (or paraphrasing) is a therapeutic communication technique in which the nurse repeats the main idea the client expressed, using the nurse's own words, to confirm understanding and show the client they are being heard. It encourages the client to continue and clarifies meaning. This differs from non-therapeutic responses such as giving advice, changing the subject, or offering false reassurance ('Everything will be fine'), all of which can block communication. Recognizing therapeutic techniques like restating, reflecting, and clarifying — and distinguishing them from communication blocks — is a core psychosocial concept. (Verify against current NCLEX prep materials.)
Source: NCLEX-PN Psychosocial — Therapeutic Communication, Restating

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About this topic: Therapeutic Communication

Therapeutic communication questions ask for the best response to a client — open-ended, reflective, non-judgemental — and the blocks to avoid: false reassurance, giving advice, changing the subject, why questions. This is one of 15 PN: Psychosocial Integrity questions on therapeutic communication, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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