Which nursing response would indicate an empathetic approach to a patient who is de-pressed over recent losses in her life?
a. "Losing a job isn't always a bad thing."
b. "I lost my parents last year and still feel sad."
c. "Please tell me more about what you are feeling."
d. "Let's not focus on what's sad but rather what is good about life."
ANS: C
Empathy or empathic understanding is the nurse's ability to see things from the patient's viewpoint and to communicate this understanding to the patient. This response focuses on the patient's feelings and encourages further discussion. Minimizing the loss or suggesting a change in focus sounds judgmental or patronizing and will likely cut off communication. Although self-disclosure can be therapeutic, this focuses on the nurse's feelings.
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