A client who is diagnosed with breast cancer asks the nurse, "Am I going to die?" Which statement by the nurse promotes a therapeutic relationship?

Question

A client who is diagnosed with breast cancer asks the nurse, "Am I going to die?"  Which statement by the nurse promotes a therapeutic relationship?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many individuals diagnosed with cancer experience anxiety and fear related to death and desire to talk with someone about these feelings. To promote a therapeutic relationship, the nurse should initiate conversations by acknowledging clients' fears, use open-ended statements to invite them to talk about death, and actively listen as they verbalize their feelings. (Option A) The nurse offers false reassurance by making this statement. Providing false reassurance is not part of a therapeutic relationship or an effective communication strategy. (Option B) This statement does not acknowledge the client's concerns and blocks communication. The nurse should first assess the client's cultural and spiritual practices. If the client requests spiritual support, then the nurse may make a referral to the chaplain's office. (Option D) By changing the subject, the nurse is attempting to redirect the conversation away from the client's desire to talk about death; this does not promote a therapeutic relationship. Educational objective: Fear of dying is a common concern for many clients with a terminal disease. The nurse should acknowledge these feelings and use open-ended statements and active listening to invite clients to talk about death.

A Client Who Is Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Asks the Nurse