Which of the following is NOT a non-therapeutic communication barrier?

• A. Asking irrelevant personal questions
• B. Stereotyping
• C. Giving advice
• D. Validating

Answer: (D)

Validating is a therapeutic communication technique that recognizes and affirms the patient’s feelings and experiences. Because it validates rather than judges, it helps build trust, encourages the patient to share more, and supports emotional well-being. That makes it not a barrier to effective communication; it enables a collaborative nurse–patient relationship. In contrast, asking irrelevant personal questions can violate privacy and create discomfort; stereotyping applies overgeneralizations that ignore individual concerns; giving advice can undermine the patient’s autonomy and problem-solving. These are non-therapeutic barriers because they obstruct open dialogue and patient-centered care.