A nurse is caring for a client who has acute lymphocytic leukemia. The client is refusing blood products. Which one of the following responses should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:
"Your doctor has an excellent reputation for being honest with clients." This response is incorrect. While intending to provide reassurance, this statement may come across as dismissive of the client's feelings and might not address their immediate concern.

Choice B Reason:
"Why do you think the doctor is lying?" This response is incorrect. This response might come off as confrontational or defensive. It could potentially escalate the client's emotions and not effectively address their feelings of being misled.

Choice C Reason:
"You feel as if the doctor hasn't been honest with you?" This response acknowledges the client's emotions and concerns without making assumptions about the doctor's actions. It demonstrates empathy and allows the client to express their feelings and concerns further.

Choice D Reason:
"I am certain the doctor would not lie to you." This response might be perceived as dismissive or invalidating of the client's feelings and beliefs, as it asserts the nurse's certainty without fully understanding the client's perspective.

Choice Reason:
Occupational Therapist is incorrect. Occupational therapists focus on helping individuals regain or enhance their ability to perform daily activities and tasks. While they might not directly address dysphagia or swallowing concerns, they could assist in modifying the environment or providing adaptive equipment to facilitate eating, such as recommending specialized utensils or adapting seating positions to support safe eating practices.

Choice B Reason:
Physical Therapist is incorrect. Physical therapists primarily concentrate on restoring mobility, strength, and function in individuals who have experienced injuries or illnesses affecting movement. While they might not directly address dysphagia, they could be involved in helping patients with postural adjustments or exercises that indirectly support safe eating and swallowing.

Choice C Reason:
Respiratory Therapist is incorrect. Respiratory therapists specialize in assessing and treating breathing problems and disorders related to the lungs and respiratory system. While they may not focus directly on dysphagia, they can be involved in managing respiratory complications that can arise from aspiration, such as pneumonia. They might assist in suctioning, breathing exercises, or respiratory treatments in cases where aspiration has led to lung issues.

Choice D Reason:
Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, is correct because it specializes in evaluating and treating communication and swallowing disorders. They work with individuals who have experienced strokes or other conditions affecting swallowing abilities to improve their swallowing function and reduce the risk of aspiration (when food or liquid enters the airway instead of the digestive tract).