Which of the following statements made by the nurse best represents the "A" in the CARE confrontation?

A. Offering approval or disapproval
Offering approval or disapproval can create a judgmental atmosphere and hinder open communication. Therapeutic communication focuses on understanding and supporting the patient without expressing judgment.

B. Asking for explanations
Asking for explanations can sometimes come across as interrogative or demanding. While it is important to understand patient concerns, therapeutic communication should be focused on exploring feelings and experiences rather than demanding explanations.

C. Asking open-ended questions
Open-ended questions encourage patients to share more about their thoughts and feelings, facilitating deeper and more meaningful conversations. This technique helps patients express themselves more freely and promotes effective therapeutic communication.

D. Offering sympathy
Offering sympathy, rather than empathy, can distance the nurse from the patient and may not address the patient’s needs as effectively. Therapeutic communication should focus on empathy, where the nurse understands and acknowledges the patient's feelings without feeling sorry for them.

A. “I don’t mind cleaning up your mess. I am used to it because my child does this at night.”
This response is non-therapeutic because it minimizes the patient’s feelings and experiences by comparing them to the nurse’s personal life. It fails to acknowledge the patient's emotional distress and does not address the underlying issue of incontinence.

B. “I will bring you some diapers to wear instead of having you wet the bed all the time.”
This response is dismissive and fails to address the patient’s emotional needs. It focuses on a temporary solution rather than working collaboratively with the patient on a more comprehensive management plan.

C. “Don’t be embarrassed. A lot of patients have this problem after a stroke.”
This response is dismissive of the patient’s feelings of embarrassment. It fails to provide empathetic support and does not offer a solution or a plan to address the incontinence.

D. “You seem upset about this. We can work together on a bladder retraining program.”
This response is therapeutic as it acknowledges the patient’s feelings and offers a constructive approach to manage the issue. It demonstrates empathy and engages the patient in a collaborative solution, which is essential for effective patient care.