Question

A client just learned that a family member was diagnosed with a serious illness. At this time, the client is pacing, distracted, breathing rapidly, complaining of nausea, and having trouble focusing on anything other than the family member's illness. Which initial nursing comment is most therapeutic?

1
"You seem anxious. Would you like to talk about how you are feeling?"
2
Address the client by name and say, "You are safe. First, take a deep breath."
3
"You cannot help the other members of your family if you do not calm down."
4
"There are always specialists who can help. Try not to worry about your loved one.

Answer 1

The most therapeutic approach is to acknowledge the client's anxiety and offer to talk about their feelings, helping them to start managing their stress.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is experiencing anxiety due to a family member's serious illness, it's important to provide immediate emotional support in a therapeutic way. The most therapeutic initial nursing comment would be to acknowledge the client's emotional state and offer support by asking, "You seem anxious. Would you like to talk about how you are feeling?" This approach is non-threatening and opens the door for the client to express their feelings, which can be the first step towards managing their stress and anxiety.