Which term refers to trite assurances that minimize the significance of a patient's feelings?

• A. Culture
• B. Reassuring clichés
• C. Gestures
• D. Brainstorming

Answer: (B)

In patient communication, recognizing when phrases are used to dismiss or minimize what a person is feeling is key. The term that fits this idea is reassuring clichés. These are overused, comforting phrases that try to ease anxiety but end up reducing the patient’s emotions to simple, blanket statements. They can make someone feel unheard or like their fears and sadness aren’t being truly acknowledged, even if the speaker means to help. This differs from culture, which is about the shared beliefs and practices of a group; gestures, which are nonverbal actions; and brainstorming, which is a process for generating ideas. While empathy matters, relying on cliché reassurances often misses the opportunity to connect with and validate the patient’s experience.