Question

A nurse is counseling an adolescent who has anorexia nervosa and reports excessive laxative use and fear of gaining weight. The client states, I'm so fat I can't even stand to look at myself. Which of the following therapeutic responses demonstrates the nurse's use of summarizing?

a) It seems like you're struggling with your body image and feeling overweight.
b) You're worried about gaining weight and dislike your appearance.
c) You're saying that you feel fat and can't bear to see yourself.
d) So, you think you're too heavy and avoid looking in mirrors.

Answer 1

The proper summary statement is 'It seems like you're struggling with your body image and feeling overweight,' which accurately condenses the client's concerns about body image and fear of weight gain.

Step-by-step explanation:

In addressing a nurse's use of summarizing when counseling an adolescent with anorexia nervosa, the correct therapeutic response that demonstrates summarizing is: "It seems like you're struggling with your body image and feeling overweight." This response encapsulates the client's feelings about their body and their fear of weight gain, acknowledging the key elements of the situation succinctly. Summarizing is a therapeutic communication technique used to reflect understanding and to encapsulate and clarify the main points the client has expressed.