The family of a 3-day-old child has just been informed that their child has cystic fibrosis. Which statement to the family should the nurse make?
1. "I can see that you are adjusting well. I'll leave you alone for a while."
2. "This must be difficult news for you. What questions do you have?"
3. "Do you have family members or clergy you would like me to call?"
4. "Why didn't you have an amniocentesis during your pregnancy?"
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: When a patient is given bad news, the grieving process begins. The family is grieving the loss of a normal child. This family is most likely in the shock/disbelief stage of grief.
Rationale 2: This response uses therapeutic communication techniques and portrays a caring attitude towards the family. Asking if the family has questions further facilitates communication.
Rationale 3: Although it is good to have supportive family members or a clergy person called if the family desires, it is better for the nurse to take the initiative and establish therapeutic communication and to portray caring.
Rationale 4: It is not therapeutic to ask "why" questions. In addition, although cystic fibrosis is diagnosable prenatally, a patient opposed to abortion often will not seek prenatal diagnosis, because the pregnancy would not be terminated if the child were affected by a chromosomal abnormality.
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