A nurse is speaking with the parents of a 4-year-old child who has a terminal illness.
The parents tell the nurse they have taken their son's name off the list for little league baseball next season. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A rationale:

It's okay to feel scared. Let's talk about what you are afraid of.

Acknowledges the client's feelings: This response directly acknowledges the client's fear and regret, which is a crucial first step in providing emotional support. It validates the client's experience and creates a safe space for open communication.

Invites the client to share: By inviting the client to talk about their fears, the nurse encourages open expression of emotions. This can help the client to process their feelings and gain a sense of control over their situation.

Promotes understanding: By actively listening to the client's concerns, the nurse can gain a better understanding of their individual needs and fears. This understanding can then guide the nurse in providing tailored support and interventions.

Facilitates coping: Talking about fears can help the client to identify and explore coping strategies. The nurse can assist in this process by offering suggestions, providing resources, and teaching relaxation techniques.

Strengthens the nurse-client relationship: By demonstrating empathy, active listening, and support, the nurse can foster a trusting relationship with the client. This relationship can provide a source of comfort and reassurance during a challenging time.

Choice B rationale:

Don't worry. The important thing is you have now quit smoking.

Dismisses the client's feelings: This response minimizes the client's fear and regret, which can be invalidating and hinder emotional expression.

Focuses on the past: While it's important to acknowledge the positive step of quitting smoking, this response shifts the focus away from the client's current emotional state and concerns about the upcoming surgery.

Offers false reassurance: Telling the client not to worry can be unrealistic and unhelpful, as it doesn't address the underlying fears.

Choice C rationale:

Your doctor is a great surgeon. You will be fine.

Provides premature reassurance: While it's appropriate to express confidence in the medical team, this response may not fully address the client's emotional needs. It can also inadvertently downplay the seriousness of the surgery and potential risks.

Shifts focus away from the client: This response focuses on the surgeon's skills rather than the client's feelings and concerns.

Choice D rationale:

I understand your fears. I was a smoker also.

May be perceived as self-focused: While sharing a personal experience can sometimes build rapport, it's important to ensure the focus remains on the client's needs and experiences. This response could inadvertently shift the attention to the nurse's own story.

Does not directly address the client's fears: While expressing understanding can be helpful, it's important to follow up with s and encouragement to explore the client's specific concerns.

Choice A rationale: Refusal of medication due to paranoia is not typically associated with conversion disorder. Paranoia is more commonly seen in disorders such as schizophrenia or paranoid personality disorder.

Choice B rationale: Preoccupation with manifestations of various illnesses is a characteristic of somatic symptom disorder, not conversion disorder. In somatic symptom disorder, individuals are excessively worried about having a serious illness, despite having no or only mild symptoms.

Choice C rationale: Frequent manic episodes are a hallmark of bipolar disorder, not conversion disorder. Manic episodes involve periods of extreme high energy or mood.

Choice D rationale: Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, is characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms, such as the loss of a sensory or motor function, that cannot be explained by medical evaluation. Symptoms can include seizures, weakness or paralysis, or reduced input from one or more senses. Therefore, an involuntary loss of a sensory function or a motor function with no underlying neurologic pathology is an expected finding in a client diagnosed with conversion disorder.