Question

A nurse is caring for a toddler who has terminal cancer and is receiving hospice care. The child's parent tells the nurse, "I'm a bad parent, and I can't deal with this." Which of the following responses should the nurse make? A. "I'm not sure I follow you. Can you explain?" B. "I understand. Other parents say the same thing." C. "Let's talk about home care for your child." D. "I disagree. You're a great parent."

Answer 1

The nurse should respond empathetically by asking the parent to explain their feelings further, offering emotional support and resources. Option A, 'I'm not sure I follow you. Can you explain?' is the most appropriate response to support the parent during the emotionally distressing period of their child's terminal illness and hospice care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The parent's statement, 'I'm a bad parent, and I can't deal with this,' is a clear indication of the emotional distress and potential self-blame they are experiencing due to their child's terminal illness and hospice care situation. The nurse's response should be supportive, empathetic, and encourage further communication. The most appropriate response from the nurse would be option A, 'I'm not sure I follow you. Can you explain?' This response opens up a dialogue, invites the parent to share their feelings more deeply, and does not dismiss their feelings as some other responses may. The nurse can then provide better emotional support and resources to help the parent cope with the situation.

When discussing hospice care, it's important to understand its purpose is to offer comfort and dignity towards the end of life, outside of a hospital setting, which aligns with the philosophy created by Cicely Saunders and further developed by Florence Wald. The family's involvement and the patient's comfort are central to hospice care. This approach helps alleviate the pressure on caregivers by providing comprehensive care to the patient while giving emotional and practical support to the family, as reflected in the research by McMillan et al. (2006).

Answer 2

The most appropriate response in this situation is **A. "I'm not sure I follow you. Can you explain?"**

This response allows the nurse to open up a dialogue with the parent, encouraging them to express their feelings and concerns more fully. It demonstrates active listening and empathy, which can help the parent feel heard and understood. Once the parent has shared their feelings, the nurse can offer appropriate support and guidance based on the parent's expressed needs.

When a parent expresses feelings of guilt and difficulty in coping while their child is receiving hospice care, it's essential for the nurse to respond in a supportive and empathetic manner. Let's evaluate each response option step by step:

A. "I'm not sure I follow you. Can you explain?"

- This response does not acknowledge the parent's emotions or provide emotional support.

- It may come across as dismissive or indifferent to the parent's feelings.

B. "I understand. Other parents say the same thing."

- This response attempts to normalize the parent's feelings by suggesting that other parents have similar experiences.

- While it acknowledges the parent's emotions, it may not provide the level of support and validation that the parent needs during this difficult time.

C. "Let's talk about home care for your child."

- This response redirects the conversation toward practical matters, such as home care.

- While discussing home care is important, it may be premature at this moment, as the parent is expressing emotional distress.

- It is essential to address the parent's emotional needs before discussing practical considerations.

D. "I disagree. You're a great parent."

- This response provides immediate reassurance and validation to the parent.

- It acknowledges the parent's feelings but counters them with a positive affirmation.

- While it is supportive, it might be perceived as insincere or overly simplistic.