Final answer:
The most supportive nurse responses to a grieving patient are those that acknowledge and validate the patient’s feelings without judgment or suggestion to move away from the topic. The recognition of crying as a healthy expression and acknowledgment of pain helps facilitate communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
When responding to a patient who is grieving the death of a close friend, it's important for the nurse to facilitate communication that is empathetic and supportive. The appropriate responses from the nurse would emphasize understanding and validation of the patient's feelings. Answers b, c, and d facilitate communication effectively:
- "I can see that you feel sad about this situation." This response acknowledges the patient's visible emotion without judgment.
- "The loss of your friend is very painful for you." This statement validates the patient's pain and acknowledges the significance of the loss.
- "Crying is a way of expressing the hurt you're experiencing." Here the nurse recognizes crying as a natural and healthy expression of grief.
Option a, asking "Why do you think you are so upset?" might seem confrontational or might lead the patient to question their own feelings, which could be counterproductive in this context. Option e suggests changing the subject, which could invalidate the patient's feelings and might not encourage further sharing.
The stages of grief, as outlined by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, recognizes that grief can involve a series of emotional reactions, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Hospice care is designed to provide support and care for individuals in their final phase of a terminal illness, focusing on comfort and quality of life, rather than cure. Understanding these concepts can help health professionals empathize with those experiencing loss and provide appropriate support.