The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with heart failure. Which nursing statement encourages the client to express thoughts and feelings?

Question

1. "Please tell me how I can help you learn to manage this health problem."
2. "Oftentimes heart failure can be prevented with proper diet and exercise."
3. "Many of my clients have your same health problem and they are doing very well."
4. "Would you mind holding any questions until I review your healthcare provider's care orders?"

Answer 1

1

Rationale 1: Asking the client to say how the nurse can help the client with the health problem best encourages the client to express thoughts and feelings.

Rationale 2: There is no evidence that proper diet and exercise will prevent all episodes of heart failure. This statement also assumes that the client did not eat a proper diet or exercise.

Rationale 3: Saying that other clients with the same health problem are doing very well minimizes the impact of the health problem on this client.

Rationale 4: Asking the client to hold any questions until orders are reviewed communicates that the nurse does not have time to talk with the client.

Global Rationale: Asking the client to say how the nurse can help the client with the health problem best encourages the client to express thoughts and feelings. There is no evidence that proper diet and exercise will prevent all episodes of heart failure. This statement also assumes that the client did not eat a proper diet or exercise. Saying that other clients with the same health problem are doing very well minimizes the impact of the health problem on this client. Asking the client to hold any questions until orders are reviewed communicates that the nurse does not have time to talk with the client.