Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is the effect of the nurse providing a different perspective on the client's situation?

1. Reassurance

2. Confrontation

3. Cognitive realignment

4. Reality testing

The correct answer is: Confrontation

Providing a different perspective on the client's situation can be considered a form of confrontation in the context of therapeutic communication. This involves challenging the client's current perceptions, beliefs, or assumptions about their situation in a respectful and empathetic manner. Confrontation, when appropriately applied, encourages clients to explore their thoughts and feelings more deeply, enhancing their self-awareness. This approach can help clients recognize discrepancies in their feelings or beliefs, and facilitate a more constructive examination of their concerns. It's important to note that this does not imply aggression or hostility; rather, it is intended to encourage reflection and promote personal growth by prompting clients to consider alternative viewpoints or options they may not have recognized previously. Reassurance focuses on providing comfort or reassurance to the client, while cognitive realignment involves actively restructuring maladaptive thought patterns. Reality testing is a specific technique used to help clients distinguish between their thoughts and the actual external reality. While all options have therapeutic value, confrontation stands out as a method of directly challenging and reshaping the client’s perceptions for better insight.