Arguing with a delusion
NCLEX-RN glossary · Psychosocial Integrity
Definition
A non-therapeutic communication error where the nurse uses logic or evidence to contest a client's fixed, false belief.
Arguing with a delusion in plain English
Damages the therapeutic alliance and escalates agitation; the nurse should instead validate the feeling and orient to reality. A frequent error is selecting a response that uses 'logical proof' to correct a client instead of acknowledging the emotional burden of the delusion.
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