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Question

Difficulty: EasyGrief and Loss

A nurse is providing care for a client who experienced a pregnancy loss at 10 weeks of gestation. The client is crying and states, 'I must have done something wrong to cause this to happen.' Which of the following is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?

  1. It sounds like you are feeling responsible for the loss. Can you tell me more about what you are feeling?Answer
  2. B
    Everything happens for a reason, and you are young enough to try for another baby soon.
  3. C
    Why do you feel like you are to blame for the miscarriage?
  4. D
    I think you should focus on getting plenty of rest right now so your body can heal physically.

Answer

The most therapeutic response is to reflect the client's feelings and invite them to share more about their emotions.
The correct answer uses the therapeutic communication techniques of restating/reflecting ('It sounds like you are feeling responsible') and offering a general lead/exploring ('Can you tell me more...'). This approach validates the client's feelings of grief and guilt without judging, and it encourages the client to verbalize their emotions, which is essential for the grieving process.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's statement and emotional state.
The client is experiencing acute grief and expressing feelings of guilt and self-blame regarding the pregnancy loss.
Understanding the core emotion dictates the appropriate therapeutic communication technique to use.
2
Evaluate each response option for therapeutic communication principles.
Identify responses that use reflection, empathy, and open-ended questioning versus those that use barriers like false reassurance, 'why' questions, or unwanted advice.
Therapeutic communication requires validating the client's feelings without judging or minimizing their experience.
3
Select the response that best facilitates open communication.
The response that reflects the feeling of responsibility and asks the client to tell more is the only therapeutic choice.
This approach builds trust, acknowledges the client's current emotional pain, and allows them to safely process their grief.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication in Grief and Loss
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Topics

Grief and Loss

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