A nurse is assessing the sleep pattern of a client who has an anxiety disorder. The client reports having difficulty sleeping most nights. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Providing a client with a timeline for grieving is not recommended as grief is a highly individual experience and does not follow a set timeline. Each person's journey through grief is unique, and imposing a timeline may invalidate their feelings and hinder the natural process of grieving.

Choice B reason: Encouraging the client to express their feelings is considered a best practice in nursing care for patients with dementia experiencing anticipatory grief. It allows the patient to acknowledge and work through their emotions, which is an important aspect of coping with grief. Open communication can also help the nurse to assess the patient's emotional state and provide appropriate support.

Choice C reason: While showing sympathy can be comforting, it is more beneficial to show empathy. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another, which helps in building a stronger connection and providing more personalized care. Sympathy might sometimes be perceived as pity, which can be counterproductive in the therapeutic relationship.

Choice D reason: Sharing personal stories of grief with the client is generally not advised as the focus should remain on the client's experiences. The nurse's role is to facilitate the client's expression of grief, not to shift the focus to their own experiences. Personal stories may also trigger additional stress for the client.

Choice A reason: Cautioning the client against feeling angry at the deceased sibling could invalidate the client's natural grieving process. Anger is a common and expected emotion in the stages of grief, and acknowledging it can be therapeutic. It is important for the nurse to provide a safe space for the client to express all emotions related to their loss.

Choice B reason: Recommending more solitary activities might not be beneficial for a client experiencing depression after a significant loss. Social support and engagement in social activities can be crucial for recovery. Isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression. Instead, the nurse should encourage the client to maintain connections with supportive friends and family members.

Choice C reason: Explaining that the duration of grief is highly variable and can last for years is important. Grief does not have a set timeline, and individuals experience it differently. Providing this information can help normalize the client's feelings and reassure them that what they are experiencing is a part of the healing process.

Choice D reason: Encouraging the client to avoid discussing the events surrounding the sibling's death can hinder the grieving process. Open communication about the loss and the associated emotions is essential for healing. The nurse should encourage the client to share their feelings and memories when they feel ready, as this can be a part of the therapeutic process.