A nurse is conducting a health assessment on a newly admitted patient. The patient appears anxious and begins to speak in a rushed and disorganized manner. Which of the following responses by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?

Rationale: A. Telling the patient to calm down in a directive or commanding way is non-therapeutic. It may increase anxiety, create defensiveness, and hinder communication. This approach does not validate the patient’s feelings or support a collaborative interaction. B. Asking the patient to stop talking quickly because the nurse cannot understand them focuses on the nurse’s needs rather than the patient’s feelings. It is judgmental and non-therapeutic, and it may make the patient feel dismissed or unheard. C. While this response acknowledges the patient’s nervousness, emphasizing the need to hurry is not therapeutic. It increases pressure on the patient and may exacerbate anxiety, rather than helping them slow down and organize their thoughts. D. This response demonstrates therapeutic communication by validating the patient’s feelings ("I can see you're feeling anxious"), providing reassurance, and encouraging a collaborative approach ("Take your time, and we can go through this together"). It creates a supportive environment that helps the patient feel heard and safe, promoting more effective communication.