Family members awaiting the outcome of a suicide atempt are tearful. Which response by the Practical Nurse (PN) is therapeutic to the family at this time? * Select one answer

Choice A reason: Collects data is not an activity that the nurse performs during the planning step of the nursing process. Collecting data is an activity that the nurse performs during the assessment step of the nursing process, which involves gathering and analyzing information about the client’s health status, history, and environment.

Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Records data is not an activity that the nurse performs during the planning step of the nursing process. Recording data is an activity that the nurse performs during the documentation step of the nursing process, which involves writing or entering the data and findings in the client’s record or chart. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: Prioritizes care is an activity that the nurse performs during the planning step of the nursing process. Prioritizing care is an activity that involves ranking the client’s problems, needs, or risks according to their urgency, importance, or potential impact. It helps the nurse to allocate time and resources efficiently, and to address the most critical or significant issues first. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice D reason: Carries out interventions is not an activity that the nurse performs during the planning step of the nursing process. Carrying out interventions is an activity that the nurse performs during the implementation step of the nursing process, which involves executing the plan of care and performing the interventions and activities that were planned. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice A reason: “I can see you are worried.” is a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It also acknowledges and validates the family’s emotions, and invites them to express their concerns or fears. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B reason: “Don’t worry, you have nothing to feel guilty about.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows false reassurance, which is a communication technique that involves minimizing or dismissing the other person’s feelings or situation. It also implies that the family should feel guilty, and denies them the opportunity to explore their feelings or thoughts. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: “Everything possible is being done.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows cliché, which is a communication technique that involves using overused or trite expressions that lack meaning or sincerity. It also avoids addressing the family’s emotions or needs, and may sound vague or insincere. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: “Let me check if you can see your loved one.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows changing the subject, which is a communication technique that involves shifting the focus away from the other person’s feelings or situation. It also ignores or postpones the family’s emotional needs, and may make them feel unimportant or dismissed. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.