The nurse has been caring for a client with a diagnosis of depression. The client says to the nurse, "I wish you would just be my friend." The appropriate response by the nurse is:
1. "I am your friend."
2. "Our relationship is a therapeutic and helping one."
3. "I can't be your friend. I'm the nurse, and you're the client."
4. "You have plenty of friends. You don't need me to be your friend, too."
2
Rationale: Nurses may struggle with requests by clients to "be my friend." When this occurs, the nurse should make it clear that the relationship is a therapeutic and helping one. This does not mean that the nurse is not friendly toward the client at times. It does mean, however, that the nurse follows the stated guidelines regarding a therapeutic relationship. "I am your friend." "I can't be your friend. I'm the nurse, and you're the client." and "You have plenty of friends. You don't need me to be your friend, too." are inappropriate.
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