While communicating with a 10-year-old client who is to undergo major heart surgery the next morning, the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication by responding to the client's tears with:
1. "You shouldn't cry. You are not in pain.".
2. "It is okay to cry. I know this is scary.".
3. "I'm going to go get the doctor.".
4. "Would you like some toys?"
2. "It is okay to cry. I know this is scary.".
Rationale:
Assertive communication is appropriate in the group setting, but for this client, the nurse should be accepting of the client's feelings of fear. Telling the client not to cry invalidates the client's feelings. Leaving to get the doctor could be seen by the child as abandonment and would signal that the nurse is uncomfortable with the child. Distraction is not appropriate when the client is clearly upset; instead, the nurse should attempt to seek more information about what the child is feeling.
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