A client has received some bad news about a prognosis from the physician. When the nurse comes in with medications, the client states in an angry tone, "You're late; I was just about to call the hospital administrator to complain

Question

" The nurse is aware that the client received a disappointing prognosis and understands the behavior as displacement. The nurse is silent for a few moments to let the client collect some thoughts and control any feelings. Which response should the nurse make next? 1. "You are really angry at your physician; why don't you tell the physician how you feel."
2. "You must be really angry at me."
3. "I'm not late if I get this medication to you within thirty minutes of the scheduled time."
4. "I know you heard some bad news today. I wonder if that could be bothering you."

Answer 1

4
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's prognosis will help the client examine thoughts and feelings more realistically and opens up the possibility for a discussion of anger. Stating that the client must be angry with the nurse, or defending the medication timetable, is self-focusing and does not recognize displacement. Suggesting that the client express anger to the physician shows a misunderstanding of the purpose of displacement and fails to focus on the client's thoughts and feelings.