Question

A client diagnosed with multiple myeloma has a poor prognosis. The client is tearful and has difficulty talking about feelings. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? Tell the client the nurse will return in 20 minutes to discuss the client's feelings. Ask if the client wants to speak with someone from pastoral care. Inform the client there is always hope, and tell the client not to give up. Offer to sit quietly with the client to allow time for expression.

Answer 1

When a client diagnosed with multiple myeloma has difficulty talking about their feelings, the nurse should offer to sit quietly with the client or ask if they want to speak with someone from pastoral care. It is not appropriate for the nurse to inform the client there is always hope and tell the client not to give up.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client diagnosed with multiple myeloma has a poor prognosis and is tearful and having difficulty talking about feelings, it is important for the nurse to provide appropriate support and care. In this situation, the nurse should offer to sit quietly with the client to allow time for expression. This allows the client to feel heard and understood without the pressure of having to talk about their feelings.

Additionally, it would be appropriate for the nurse to ask if the client wants to speak with someone from pastoral care. Pastoral care professionals are trained to provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals facing challenging situations like terminal illnesses.

Lastly, while it is well-intentioned, it is not appropriate for the nurse to inform the client there is always hope and tell the client not to give up. The nurse should acknowledge the client's emotions and provide support rather than dismissing or minimizing their experiences.