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Question

Difficulty: EasyGrief and Loss

During a home health visit, a client whose spouse passed away two weeks ago says, "I still set a place for him at the dinner table. I keep thinking he is going to walk through the door." Which of the following responses by the practical nurse (PN) is most therapeutic?

  1. It sounds like you are missing him very much right now.Answer
  2. B
    Why do you continue to set a place at the table for him?
  3. C
    Don't worry, these feelings of denial will pass in a few more weeks.
  4. D
    You should try to put his dishes away so you can move forward.

Answer

The most therapeutic response is to acknowledge and validate the client's feelings by stating that it sounds like they are missing their spouse.
The correct response uses the therapeutic technique of reflection and empathy. By acknowledging the client's feelings without judgment or pressure to change, the nurse creates a safe environment for the client to continue processing and expressing their grief.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's statement and current emotional state.
The client is expressing typical early signs of grief (denial or yearning) two weeks after a significant loss.
Understanding the context of the client's grieving process is necessary to select an appropriate therapeutic response.
2
Evaluate each option against principles of therapeutic communication.
Reflecting the client's feelings is therapeutic. Giving advice, asking 'why', and offering false reassurance or enforcing rigid timelines are non-therapeutic.
The nurse must use techniques that encourage the client to share their feelings without feeling judged or rushed.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication in Grief and Loss
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Topics

Grief and Loss

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