While caring for a client who is approaching death, the nurse notices

While caring for a client who is approaching death, the nurse notices the client’s facial expression of extreme sadness. What should the nurse do?

1. Leave the client alone.
2. Provide physical care to increase comfort.
3. Acknowledge the client’s expression, and ask whether the client would like to talk about her feelings.
4. Offer to provide pain medication.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Leaving the client alone does not acknowledge the client’s feelings or support the client’s emotional needs at this time.
Rationale 2: Providing physical care to increase comfort might not be what the client needs at this time.
Rationale 3: The nurse should establish a communication relationship that shows concern for and commitment to the client. Communication strategies include describing observations and asking whether the client would like to talk about feelings.
Rationale 4: Offering to provide pain medication assumes the client is in pain.