Final answer:
The most empathetic statement by the nurse is 'I understand how you must be feeling right now,' which acknowledges the patient's emotions without offering false reassurance or personal anecdotes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement by the nurse that demonstrates empathy is: c) I understand how you must be feeling right now. Empathy involves understanding another person's feelings and experiences as much as one can by putting oneself in their shoes. It is about recognizing and acknowledging the patient's emotions without necessarily providing reassurance or mentioning their own experiences or outcomes.
In the context of a cancer diagnosis, such empathy is crucial. A diagnosis of cancer can trigger a complex process of emotional adjustment, often aligned with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, as described by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross. The nurse's empathetic response does not attempt to fix the situation or to offer false reassurance; instead, it provides a sense of understanding and support during a challenging time.
This approach respects the individual's unique process of coping with their illness, without imposing expectations on their emotional response. It also considers the potential stigma of cancer and the need for a patient-centered approach that allows the individual to express their emotions and experiences freely.