When a client asks about progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), which nurse response would be most helpful?

When a client asks about progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), which nurse response would be most helpful?

• A. PMR requires training sessions. Let's check into classes that you can attend to learn the technique.
• B. PMR is easy; just practice at home.
• C. PMR is not for everyone.
• D. PMR will fix your problems.

Answer: (A)

Progressive muscle relaxation is a skill that involves learning a specific sequence of tensing and relaxing muscle groups, with effectiveness enhanced by proper instruction and practice. A response that offers to help the client find and attend training sessions provides a clear, concrete step to learn the technique correctly and comfortably, which supports safe and effective use. It also communicates that PMR is a learnable procedure that benefits from guided practice rather than being something one should assume is easy or immediate, and it helps set realistic expectations. The other choices lift the assessment too broadly, implying PMR is trivial, universally suitable, or a guaranteed fix, which can mislead and overlook the need for proper instruction and individualized application. Guiding toward formal instruction is the most helpful and realistic approach for implementing PMR.

Progressive muscle relaxation is a skill that involves learning a specific sequence of tensing and relaxing muscle groups, with effectiveness enhanced by proper instruction and practice. A response that offers to help the client find and attend training sessions provides a clear, concrete step to learn the technique correctly and comfortably, which supports safe and effective use. It also communicates that PMR is a learnable procedure that benefits from guided practice rather than being something one should assume is easy or immediate, and it helps set realistic expectations. The other choices lift the assessment too broadly, implying PMR is trivial, universally suitable, or a guaranteed fix, which can mislead and overlook the need for proper instruction and individualized application. Guiding toward formal instruction is the most helpful and realistic approach for implementing PMR.