A nurse is providing therapeutic communication to an anxious pre-operative client. Which statement best demonstrates therapeutic technique?

THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION — ANXIETY EXPLORATION: BEST RESPONSE: 'Tell me what specifically is making you feel anxious...' REASONS: Open-ended — invites the client to elaborate rather than answer yes/no; Client-specific — focuses on THIS client's concern, not generalisations; Actionable — identifies the specific fear, which can then be addressed (fear of anaesthesia, pain, outcomes, separation from family?); Non-dismissive — does not minimise the anxiety; WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE OTHERS: 'Don't worry, everything will be fine' = false reassurance; 'Thousands have it without problems' = minimising statistics, doesn't address the individual; 'Explaining statistics' = providing information before understanding the specific concern; THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLE: Gather before giving — understand the client's specific concern before providing information; targeted reassurance after understanding the fear is more effective than generic reassurance before.