A client has been admitted for treatment of a compound fracture of the femur sustained when she fell

Question

while intoxicated. The nurse has cared for the client on previous admissions for similar problems.

The nurse admits to feeling angry and frustrated at seeing the client in this condition. The action by
the nurse that would be most beneficial for the client is to
a. ask to be reassigned because he cannot help the client.
b. cover his feelings by being particularly pleasant to the client.
c. ask how he can help the client find a better solution to her problems.
d. seek supervision to get help with negative feelings about the client.

Answer 1

D
The nurse who uses the approach of honestly acknowledging feelings is able to maintain congruence
between nonverbal and verbal communication. This approach shows the nurse's concern for the
client's well-being. Option A, an avoidant approach by the nurse, would confirm for the client her
lack of worth and the hopelessness of her situation. Option B is not an honest approach. The nurse's
true feelings would probably be conveyed nonverbally. Option C: This approach reveals the nurse's
feelings of helplessness.