Author Question: A nursing student has complimented an older adult female client on her elaborate diamond ring. The ... (Read 59 times)

james · **on:** Jul 17, 2018

A nursing student has complimented an older adult female client on her elaborate diamond ring. The client replies, That was a gift from my late husband. He was a wonderful man. The client then pauses and the nursing student notices a tear in her eye.

Which action best demonstrates empathy?
A) Tell the client, I'll give you some privacy and quietly leave the room.
B) Ask the client, Are you feeling sad because your husband died recently?
C) Stay silent for a moment and allow the client to gather her thoughts.
D) Ask the client if she would like to have a visit from the chaplain or a counselor.

Question 2

A nursing student is conscientious in her efforts to cultivate empathy with clients. Which characteristic is associated with empathy?

A) Maintaining emotional distance in order to conserve emotional energy
B) Experiencing the same emotions that clients and clients experience
C) Providing evidence-based solutions to the problems of others
D) Teaching clients and clients how to effectively distract themselves from their issues and problems

elizabethrperez · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 17, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Even though every situation is different, it is often appropriate to allow silence rather than interjecting with questions. It is likely not therapeutic to leave the room or to immediately suggest counseling or spiritual care. Asking the client about the timing of her husband's death is unlikely to communicate empathy.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Feedback:
To empathize is to be able to intellectually (not emotionally) identify with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another person. The nursing student should understand and respect what a person is experiencing without experiencing it herself. Being empathic helps the nurse conserve emotional energy so that the nurse can be of help to herself and to her family and others who depend on her. Empathy is not simply problem solving or teaching distraction techniques.