Answer:
The answer to the question: Which statement conveys empathy by the nurse, when talking to a patient who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and whom the nurse has found crying in the dark of the room, would be: "I know that this is hard for you, and it must have come as a shock. Is there any way I can help you?"
Step-by-step explanation:
Empathy, especially when dealing with people who have just been given the worst news of their life, whether for themselves, or a loved one, is one of the hardest skills to develop for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and doctors. However, this skill is vital for the correct practice because it establishes a connection, a link, with the patient, and/or his/her family, when they most need it, and establishes communication roadways that can aid the patient where treatments may not. In this case, showing the patient that you feel what they are feeling, that you can understand their reaction to the news, and offering assistance, may be the gateway for the patient to start opening up about his emotions, and dealing with them adequately.