Ch.9 - Using Self Disclosure

The nursing supervisor instructs a group of novice nurses about the appropriate use of self-disclosure with patients. The nursing supervisor determines that teaching was successful if the novice nurse makes which statement?

“Self-disclosure may be used to build a trusting relationship with the patient.”

The nurse plans to use self-disclosure to aid a mother and father in the grieving process after the death of their child. The steps of a helpful self-disclosure appear below. What is the first step?

Listen to the parents talk about their child and observe their movements and gestures.

A patient is attracted to the nurse and attempts to initiate a social relationship. It is most appropriate for the nurse to take which action?

Tell the patient that the relationship must remain professional at all times.

The nurse cares for an elderly patient in a long-term care center. Which would be inappropriate for the nurse to share with the client?

Use high levels of intimacy to help the client feel more comfortable with the nurse.

According to the NCSBN, appropriate self-disclosure is a part of maintaining professional boundaries. Appropriate self-disclosure includes the following:

Brief, focused, and only used if experience is similar

A patient asks the nurse to make a decision for her about whether or not to continue taking hormone replacement therapy (estrogen). Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

“I can answer any questions you have but it is up to you to make this decision.”