The client experienced a near-death experience and was successfully re

The client experienced a near-death experience and was successfully resuscitated. The nurse wants to provide the opportunity for the client to discuss the near-death experience. The most appropriate response by the nurse is:

1. “This is a common experience that is easily explained.”
2. “That must have been a very awful experience for you.”
3. “Have you ever heard of other persons having a near-death experience?”
4. “What was your experience like, and how did it make you feel?”

ANSWER

ANS: 4
After a client has experienced a near-death experience, it is important for the nurse to remain open, such as asking about the experience and how it made the client feel, and give the client a chance to explore what happened. This is not a common experience that can be easily explained. The client should be encouraged to discuss it as he or she may find meaning from this powerful experience. The nurse should not assume this was an awful experience for the client. Many peo-ple who have had a near-death experience report positive aftereffects, including a positive atti-tude and spiritual development. Asking if the client had ever heard of other persons having a near-death experience would not be the most appropriate response. It does not help the client ex-plore his or her own experience.