An elderly client is dying in the hospital and has had few visitors because he is estranged from his children
While the nurse is providing his morning hygiene, the client states, "If I had it to do all over again, I'd do a lot of things differently." How should the nurse react to this client's admission? A) Ask the client if he thinks he would benefit from counseling.
B) Ask the client if he would like to receive a visit from the hospital chaplain.
C) Encourage the client to elaborate and listen carefully.
D) Reassure the client that everyone makes mistakes in their lives.
C
Feedback:
Sometimes a dying client simply wants an opportunity to express feelings and verbally work through emotions. Nurses can act as a nonjudgmental sounding board in such instances. This is a more appropriate immediate response than offering counseling or spiritual care, though these may be of benefit to the client at some point. Reassurance may not be appropriate because this may not be what the client needs at this point.
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