Final answer:
The example of clarification in communication with a patient or their family is option C: 'What do you mean when you say...?', which helps to ensure that the message has been understood correctly and to clear up any misunderstandings. It is part of maintaining effective and respectful communication in healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain a therapeutic environment with a patient and his family, the nurse can use communication techniques such as clarification. Clarification is the process of making sure that one has understood the communication correctly by asking for more information or for repetition or restatement of messages. An example of clarification would be option C: "What do you mean when you say...?" This encourages the patient or family member to explain or expand their statement, which can lead to better understanding and eliminate potential misunderstandings.
Effective communication in a healthcare setting often requires using specific terms or jargon, enunciating clearly and using respectful language. It is also critical to manage the conversation appropriately, ensuring not to polarize the exchange by exerting authority. Instead, it is beneficial to represent uncertainty when necessary and to confirm understanding by eliciting responses through gentle questioning.