Question

The client is talking to the nurse about recent health problems of immediate family members and the strain the client has been under trying to care for them. The client begins to cry. What response by the nurse demonstrates the most empathy?

Answer 1

The nurse should acknowledge and validate the client's emotions, use active listening skills, and offer non-verbal gestures of empathy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most empathetic response from the nurse would be to acknowledge and validate the client's emotions by saying something like, 'I can see that you're feeling overwhelmed and emotional right now. It's completely understandable given the challenging situation you're going through.' This response shows empathy by recognizing and understanding the client's feelings without judgment or dismissing their emotions.

The nurse could also use active listening skills, such as maintaining good eye contact, nodding, and providing verbal reassurance to let the client know they are being heard and understood. For example, the nurse could say, 'I'm here for you and I want to listen and support you through this difficult time.'

In addition, the nurse can offer a supportive and compassionate touch, such as a gentle hand on the client's shoulder or a comforting pat on the back. Non-verbal gestures of empathy can convey understanding and provide comfort.