Question

A nurse is reinforcing preoperative education with a client who is expressing concerns about a breast mass. In this session, the nurse places a hand gently on the client's shoulder and asks if the client would like to talk about the client's feelings. What emotion is the nurse conveying to the client?

sympathy pity empathy indifference

Answer 1

The nurse is conveying empathy by gently placing a hand on the client's shoulder and offering to discuss the client's feelings, showing an understanding of the client's emotional state and providing emotional support.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, the nurse is conveying empathy to the client. By placing a hand gently on the client's shoulder and offering to discuss the client's feelings about the breast mass and forthcoming procedure, the nurse demonstrates an understanding and shared feeling of the client's emotional state. This act of kindness and willingness to listen offers emotional support and acknowledges the client's concerns and fears. It is part of creating an emotional support network, which is essential in healthcare as it provides both psychological comfort and strengthens the patient-caregiver relationship. Empathy in healthcare is crucial for addressing psychosocial needs and ensuring a patient-centered approach to care.