A client has been admitted in a hypercalcemic crisis and the family is distraught. One family member grabs the nurse's hand and states "I just don't know what I'll do if he/she dies!" The best response by the nurse is
a. "Don't worry. We see this and treat it all the time in clients just like this."
b. "I know that you are upset, but I have to take care of the client first."
c. "What has your loved one been eating and drinking during the last week?"
d. "Yes, this is serious but I can come back and answer some questions for you."
D
Hypercalcemic crisis carries a 30-50% death rate, so the best response by the nurse acknowledges the seriousness of the condition and validates the concern of the family, but allows the nurse to be present for the family and answer questions when the client has stabilized. It does not offer false hope (option a), dismiss the family's fears (option b), or change the subject (option c).
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