A mother who has learned that her child was killed in a tragic ...

[CORALGRILL2014]

A mother who has learned that her child was killed in a tragic car accident states, I can't bear to go on with my life. Which nursing statement conveys empathy?
 
  A. This situation is very sad, but time is a great healer.
  B. You are sad, but you must be strong for your other children.
  C. Once you cry it all out, things will seem so much better.
  D. It must be horrible to lose a child; I'll stay with you until your husband arrives.

Question 2

A client has made the decision to leave her alcoholic husband. She is feeling very depressed. Which nontherapeutic statement by the nurse conveys sympathy?
 
  A. You are feeling very depressed. I felt the same way when I decided to leave my husband.
  B. I can understand you are feeling depressed. It was a difficult decision. I'll sit with you.
  C. You seem depressed. It was a difficult decision to make. Would you like to talk about it?
  D. I know this is a difficult time for you. Would you like a prn medication for anxiety?

[JCABRERA33]

Answer to Question 1

D
The nurse's response, It must be horrible to lose a child; I'll stay with you until your husband arrives, conveys empathy to the client. Empathy is the ability to see the situation from the client's point of view. Empathy is considered to be one of the most important characteristics of the therapeutic relationship.

Answer to Question 2

A
The nurse's statement, You are feeling very depressed. I felt the same when I decided to leave my husband, is a nontherapeutic statement that conveys sympathy. Sympathy implies that the nurse shares what the client is feeling and by this personal expression alleviates the client's distress.