The nurse notices that family members appear upset shortly after learning about the patient's poor prognosis from the physician. What would be the action on the part of the nurse that best conveys being with the family?
A) Tell the family you can see they would prefer to be by themselves.
B) Maintain a cheerful, upbeat attitude in the face of the family's distress.
C) Make eye contact and ask the family what is troubling them.
D) Ask the family if they want to talk to their minister.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Making eye contact and inviting the family to share their concerns conveys empathy and a willingness to listen, which can help to establish trust and foster a therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the family. Option A may be appropriate if the family requests privacy, but it does not address their emotional needs. Option B may be perceived as dismissive or insensitive to their distress. Option D assumes that the family's preferred source of support is their minister, which may not always be the case.

The Nurse Notices That Family Members Appear Upset Shortly After