Question

Family members who brought a patient to the emergency department after she had fallen in her home are expressing their feelings of guilt. What is the most therapeutic nursing response?

a. Someone should really be staying with her to prevent her from falling.
b. Let me see how long it will be before you can see the patient.
c. Don't worry. You have nothing to feel guilty about.
d. I can see you are worried.

Answer 1

The best nursing response is to acknowledge the family's worry with compassion, without blaming or minimizing their feelings, as family support is crucial for patient recovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most therapeutic nursing response to family members expressing guilt over a patient's fall is option d: I can see you are worried. This empathetic statement acknowledges the family's feelings and opens a dialogue, showing compassion and understanding without assigning blame. In contrast, options a and c might either implicitly critique the actions of the family or minimize their concerns, while option b deflects the emotional aspect of the situation. Given that family support is an essential component of a patient's recovery, as illustrated in the provided references, it is important that the family feels supported and heard, which can ultimately benefit the patient's well-being. Moreover, the references indicate that feelings of guilt, responsibility, and social obligation often accompany situations where loved ones are ill or in need of care.