A client who recently lost their spouse to a terminal illness expresses, "I just can't go on without them. Life feels meaningless now." Which statement by the nurse would be appropriate in this situation?
"You shouldn't feel that way. There are many people who care about you.".
"I understand how you feel. Grief can be overwhelming.".
"You need to stay strong for your children.".
"Try not to think about it too much. Time heals all wounds.".
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Telling the client that they shouldn't feel a certain way and suggesting that others care about them minimizes their emotions and can be invalidating. It's essential to acknowledge the client's feelings without dismissing them.
Choice B rationale:
Expressing understanding and acknowledging the overwhelming nature of grief is appropriate and empathetic. This response validates the client's emotions and creates a safe space for them to express their feelings.
Choice C rationale:
While the intention behind encouraging the client to stay strong for their children might be positive, it oversimplifies the complexity of grief and emotional responses. Grief is a personal experience, and implying that they should suppress their emotions for the sake of others is not ideal.
Choice D rationale:
Suggesting that the client avoid thinking about their loss or that time will heal their wounds can invalidate their current emotional state. Grief doesn't always follow a linear path, and minimizing the impact of the loss can hinder the client's healing process.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Asking close-ended questions involves inquiring about specific information that can be answered with a brief response, such as "yes" or "no." While these questions have their place in assessment, they are not conducive to building rapport and trust in a therapeutic relationship. Open-ended questions encourage more extensive and meaningful communication.
Choice B rationale:
Reflecting back the patient's feelings and thoughts is a valuable skill in establishing a therapeutic relationship. It demonstrates that the nurse is actively listening and trying to understand the patient's perspective. This technique helps validate the patient's emotions and fosters a sense of trust and empathy.
Choice C rationale:
Imposing personal views and opinions goes against the principles of therapeutic communication. Nurses should maintain a nonjudgmental and objective stance to create a safe environment for patients to express themselves. Imposing personal views can hinder effective communication and damage the therapeutic relationship.
Choice D rationale:
Encouraging patient involvement in decision making empowers the patient and promotes their autonomy. Collaboration in care decisions enhances the patient's sense of control and ownership over their treatment. This approach is especially important when dealing with sensitive issues like suicide risk, as it helps the patient feel heard and respected.
Choice E rationale:
Disregarding patient preferences contradicts patient-centered care, which is a fundamental principle in nursing practice. Building a therapeutic relationship requires acknowledging and respecting the patient's preferences, values, and beliefs. Disregarding these aspects can lead to mistrust and hinder effective communication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nursing diagnosis "Impaired coping" signifies that the client is experiencing difficulty in dealing with stressors and challenges. While it's true that impaired coping can contribute to various negative outcomes, the most critical concern when dealing with a client diagnosed with impaired coping and suicidal ideation is the risk of self-inflicted harm, which aligns with choice A. Clients with impaired coping and suicidal ideation are at a heightened risk for engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including attempts at self-inflicted, life-threatening injury. This choice is the most relevant and urgent, as it directly addresses the potential harm the client may cause to themselves due to their impaired coping skills.
Choice B rationale:
Although feelings of aloneness can contribute to psychological distress and could potentially be relevant to the client's situation, choice B does not directly address the immediate risk of self-inflicted injury associated with impaired coping and suicidal ideation. The focus in this case should be on the client's safety and preventing self-harm.
Choice C rationale:
This choice accurately describes one aspect of impaired coping but does not specifically address the increased risk of self-inflicted harm or the severity of the situation presented in the question. While impaired coping does involve the inability to use appropriate skills to manage stressors, the urgency of addressing the immediate risk of self-inflicted injury takes precedence in this scenario.
Choice D rationale:
Negative self-evaluation may contribute to impaired coping, but the question specifically relates to the client's risk for self-inflicted, life-threatening injury. While negative self-evaluation could be part of the client's overall presentation, it's not the most direct or urgent concern in this situation.
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