Question

The nurse teaches a patient who is experiencing stress at work how to use imagery as a relaxation technique. Which statement by the nurse would be appropriate?

a. "Think of a place where you feel peaceful and comfortable."
b. "Place the stress in your life into an image that you can destroy."
c. "Repeatedly visualize yourself experiencing the distress in your workplace."
d. "Bring what you hear and sense in your work environment into your image."

Answer 1

The nurse should advise the patient to imagine a place that is peaceful and comfortable to help with relaxation and stress reduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate statement by the nurse would be "Think of a place where you feel peaceful and comfortable." This technique involves imagery as a relaxation technique where the patient is encouraged to visualize a serene environment, which helps in reducing stress. While sitting upright on a comfortable chair with feet on the ground and body in a relaxed position, the patient should be in a quiet place with closed eyes.

They can then mentally transport themselves to this calm setting, perhaps employing a mantra such as "alert mind, calm body" to enhance the effects of relaxation. Simply guiding the patient's thoughts away from the stressful work environment and towards pleasant images can be an effective way to manage and reduce stress.