Which nursing response would indicate an empathetic approach to a patient who is depressed over recent losses in her life?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Empathy or empathic understanding is the nurse's ability to see things from the patient's viewpoint and to communicate this understanding to the patient.This response focuses on the patient's feelings and encourages further discussion.Minimizing the loss or suggesting a change in focus sounds judgmental or patronizing and will likely cut off communication.Although self-disclosure can be therapeutic,this focuses on the nurse's feelings.

Which Nursing Response Would Indicate an Empathetic Approach to a Patient