A nurse in a mental health clinic is caring for an older adult client who has depression and has stopped taking their medication. The client tells the nurse. "I want to die now that my partner is gone." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. "You shouldn't worry about the future so you can concentrate on getting well.":

This response dismisses the client's concerns and may make them feel invalidated. It implies that their worry is not justified and may hinder open communication about their feelings.

B. "If you work hard on your physical therapy, you won't need to worry.":

While encouragement and motivation are essential, this response may come across as minimizing the client's emotional concerns. It focuses solely on the physical aspect of recovery and does not address the broader emotional and psychological aspects of the client's worry about the future.

C. "You're concerned about what will happen when you leave the hospital?":

This response reflects active listening and empathy, acknowledging the client's expressed concern and inviting further discussion. It allows the client to express their feelings and concerns about the future, fostering a therapeutic nurse-client relationship.

D. "Why are you concerned even though everyone is here to help you?":

This response might be perceived as judgmental or dismissive of the client's feelings. It could make the client feel defensive and hesitant to share their concerns. It does not encourage open communication or exploration of the client's emotions.

A. Prepare the client for surgery:
In emergency situations, if immediate intervention is required to save the client’s life or prevent significant harm, the principle of implied consent may apply. This means that if the client is unconscious and immediate treatment is necessary, healthcare providers may proceed with treatment under the assumption that the client would consent if able. However, this should be done in accordance with facility policies and legal guidelines.
B. Obtain consent from the surgeon:
The surgeon is not the appropriate person to obtain consent from in this situation. Informed consent should ideally come from the client or a legal surrogate decision-maker, depending on the circumstances. Surgeons are responsible for discussing the procedure with the patient or their authorized representative before surgery, but obtaining consent is not the nurse's role.
C. Contact the facility's ethics committee for guidance:
While the ethics committee may provide guidance in complex ethical situations, the immediate concern in this emergency situation is to address the client's life-threatening condition. The nurse should prioritize actions that ensure the client receives timely and necessary medical care.
D. Keep the client stable until a family member arrives to give consent:
While obtaining consent from a family member is ideal, waiting for consent can delay critical and time-sensitive interventions. In emergency situations, the priority is to provide necessary medical care promptly to stabilize the client. If there is no one available to give consent immediately, healthcare providers may proceed with necessary interventions to preserve life and limb.