Final answer:
Therapeutic communication in healthcare involves acknowledging the patient's actions without judgment, which helps build a positive rapport and supports patient autonomy. It is considered better than complimenting, as it reflects the nurse's observation rather than offering an opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term therapeutic in the context provided refers to the type of communication that is particularly significant in nursing and healthcare settings. This style of communication is considered therapeutic as it helps to build a positive rapport between the nurse and the patient by acknowledging their actions without imposing judgment. A therapeutic communication technique, such as saying 'I see you made your bed', indicates that the nurse is observing the patient's behavior and is not offering an opinion or judgment, which might be inferred if the nurse were to compliment the patient instead. This approach is deemed more beneficial in healthcare as it encourages patients to continue engaging in positive behaviors and it supports patient autonomy and dignity.