The nurse caring for a patient with recurrent abdominal pain of unknown origin addresses the patient ...

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Although addressing the patient by her preferred name and using nonthreatening, therapeutic touch (light hand on the shoulder), all convey caring and comfort and contribute to a therapeutic and trusting nursepatient relationship, but the nurse telling the patient that everything will be fine is inappropriate when the situation is unknown. These well-meaning words are actually false reassurance, and can sabotage a trusting relationship. Such a response is uninformed, inaccurate, and may feel dismissiveeven condescendingto the patient and acts as a barrier to therapeutic communication.