A hospice nurse is performing a home visit for a client who is being cared for by their partner. Which of the following statements made by the partner indicates the partner is experiencing denial?

Rationale:
A. "You sound like you have questions about your mom dying. Let's talk about it.": This response acknowledges the daughter’s emotional struggle and invites open dialogue. It encourages expression of thoughts and feelings, which supports coping and helps build trust.

B. "Tell me how you are feeling about your mom dying.": This therapeutic response promotes emotional expression and validates the daughter’s experience. It allows the nurse to assess the daughter’s understanding, provide reassurance, and offer emotional support.

C. "Hospice will take good care of your mom, so I wouldn't worry about that.": This response minimizes the daughter’s emotions and shuts down communication. It focuses on reassurance rather than addressing the underlying fear or uncertainty the daughter feels about her mother’s death.

D. "Let's talk about your mom's cancer and how things will progress from here.": Providing honest and compassionate information about disease progression helps the daughter prepare emotionally and practically. It also fosters understanding and reduces anxiety about the unknown aspects of dying.

E. "Tell her not to worry. She still has plenty of time left.": Offering false reassurance denies the reality of the situation and prevents the daughter from processing anticipatory grief. Such a response discourages open, honest communication between the client and family.

Rationale:
A. Change the drainage tubing every 48 hr: Routine changing of drainage tubing is not recommended unless it becomes contaminated or occluded. Frequent manipulation increases the risk of infection and compromises the sterile system.

B. Irrigate the drain to maintain suction: Irrigating a closed wound drainage system can introduce pathogens and disrupt the vacuum, increasing the risk of infection. Closed systems are designed to maintain suction without routine irrigation.

C. Observe for drainage flow through the tubing: Monitoring the amount, color, and consistency of drainage is essential to assess wound healing and detect complications such as infection or hemorrhage. Observing flow ensures the system is functioning properly and provides critical data for clinical decisions.

D. Remove the drain if output from the drain increases: Increased output can indicate ongoing bleeding or infection and should be reported to the provider. Premature removal of the drain in this situation could lead to fluid accumulation, wound dehiscence, or infection.