During a session with a client, the client asks the nurse what the client should do about the client's "cheating" spouse. The nurse replies, "You should divorce. You deserve better than that." The nurse used which nontherapeutic communication technique?

The nurse’s response is a classic example of giving advice, which is considered non-therapeutic because it shifts the responsibility of decision-making from the client to the nurse. In a therapeutic relationship, the nurse's role is to facilitate the client's own problem-solving process rather than imposing personal values or solutions onto the client's life. Rationale: A. Agreeing occurs when the nurse supports the client's statement with comments like "That's right" or "I agree." This is non-therapeutic because it suggests that the client is right only because they align with the nurse's opinion, which can make it difficult for the client to change their mind later. B. Verbalizing the implied is actually a therapeutic technique where the nurse puts into words what the client has hinted at or suggested indirectly. For example, if a client says, "I can't talk to anyone," and the nurse says, "Do you feel like no one understands?", the nurse is helping the client clarify their feelings. C. Giving information involves sharing factual data, such as "Your appointment is at 2 PM" or "This medication may cause a dry mouth." This is generally therapeutic and necessary for education. The nurse's statement about divorce is an opinion, not factual clinical information. D. Giving advice is the correct answer. By telling the client to divorce, the nurse is acting in a paternalistic manner. This fosters dependency, inhibits the client's self-determination, and may lead the client to blame the nurse if the advice results in a negative outcome. A therapeutic response would be: "What thoughts have you had about your relationship?"