Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness. The client asks several questions about the nurse's religious beliefs related to death and dying. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Share personal religious beliefs with the client to provide comfort.
B. Politely decline to discuss personal religious beliefs and focus on the client's concerns.
C. Encourage the client to discuss their own beliefs and feelings about death and dying.
D. Advise the client to speak with the hospital chaplain for spiritual guidance.

Answer 1

A nurse should encourage a client with a terminal illness to discuss their own beliefs and feelings about death and dying, and may also advise seeking spiritual guidance from a chaplain while maintaining professional boundaries.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client who has a terminal illness asks a nurse about their personal religious beliefs related to death and dying, the nurse should C. encourage the client to discuss their own beliefs and feelings about death and dying. This approach is client-centered and focuses on providing support tailored to the individual's personal values and needs. While the nurse may also D. advise the client to speak with the hospital chaplain for spiritual guidance, the primary goal should be to create a supportive environment where the client can explore their own beliefs. Sharing personal beliefs (A) could be inappropriate and might steer the conversation away from the client's needs. Politely declining to discuss personal beliefs (B) does address maintaining professional boundaries but alone doesn't encourage the client to share their own concerns.