A nurse is caring for a 69-year-old client in the advanced stage of breast cancer. Which nursing consideration must the nurse perform to facilitate emotional support to the client and family members?

Question

A) Tell client and family members that recovery may be possible.
B) Request family members to avoid talking about their own lives to the client.
C) Encourage family members to stay with the client, especially at night.
D) Ask the family members not to express their sorrow in front of the client.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
As clients move closer to death, they often appear fearful if left alone, especially during the night. Therefore, client's family members are requested to stay with the client during the nights. The nurse should be honest with the client and support her in her own way of coping, rather than provide false hopes of a recovery. Family members talking about their own lives after the client's death is usually beneficial because it helps in understanding the client's impact on the family and also promotes reassurance between the client and family members. Expressing sorrow and emotions in front of the client will bring a sense of importance to the client and also shows the client that they care deeply for her.