The nurse talks with a client who is a widower of six years and who misses his wife. What is the best statement by the nurse to encourage the client to express his feelings?

What are the client’s cultural norms? This question is important because it helps to assess whether the client’s behavior is influenced by their cultural background and values, which may differ from those of the staff and other clients.

For example, some cultures may value privacy, modesty, or respect for elders more than others, and may avoid eye contact or social interaction as a sign of politeness or deference.

Understanding the client’s cultural norms can help to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care.

Choice A is wrong because it assumes that the client’s behavior is caused by negative interactions with other clients, which may not be the case.

Choice B is wrong because it assumes that the client’s behavior is caused by hostile thoughts about others, which may not be the case.

Choice C is wrong because it assumes that the client’s behavior is caused by fear of others in the unit, which may not be the case.

These choices are not relevant to planning the client’s care and may reflect bias or stereotyping on the part of the staff.

Reminiscing about the spouse with significant others. This is an important need for a widowed client during the grieving period following the death of the client’s spouse because it helps them process their loss, express their emotions, and honor their memories. Reminiscing can also provide comfort, support, and meaning to the bereaved.

Choice B. Self-indulgence in order to fill the emptiness left by the spouse’s death is wrong because it can be unhealthy, addictive, or harmful to the client’s well-being. Self-indulgence may also prevent the client from coping with their grief in a constructive way.

Choice C. Reassurance that the client did all that could be expected for their spouse is wrong because it may imply that the client is responsible for their spouse’s death or that they could have prevented it.

This may increase the client’s guilt, regret, or self-blame. Reassurance should focus on the client’s strengths, resilience, and coping skills.

Choice D. Engagement in activities that will take the client’s mind off the loss of the spouse is wrong because it may suggest that the client should avoid or deny their grief.

This may interfere with the healing process and lead to unresolved or complicated grief. Engagement in activities should be balanced with time for reflection, mourning, and self-care.

Normal ranges for grief vary depending on the individual, the relationship, and the circumstances of the death. However, some general guidelines are that grief can last from a few months to several years and that it may involve physical and emotional symptoms such as trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, crying, sadness, anger,