A nurse is working with a client who has been struggling with depression. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates empathy?

A. Following the pathway strictly, regardless of patient changes: Strict adherence without considering the patient’s evolving condition can compromise safety and individualized care. Critical pathways are guides, not rigid protocols.

B. Adjusting the care plan when a patient's condition deteriorates unexpectedly: Deviating from a critical pathway is appropriate when a patient’s clinical status changes. The nurse must use clinical judgment to modify interventions to meet the patient’s immediate needs while documenting and communicating the changes.

C. Documenting a pathway deviation only if it improves the patient's condition: All deviations, whether positive or negative, must be documented to maintain accountability, track outcomes, and inform future care planning. Selective documentation is not appropriate.

D. Using the critical pathway as a rigid schedule for patient interventions: Treating the pathway as a fixed schedule ignores patient variability. Effective use of critical pathways involves flexibility and adaptation based on individual patient responses.

A. Respiratory rate measured at 22/min is observable, measurable, and obtained through direct assessment by the nurse. Objective data are factual findings that can be seen, heard, felt, or measured independently of the client’s perception.

B. Feeling anxious is a personal emotional experience described by the client. Subjective data rely on the client’s verbal report and cannot be directly measured or validated by the nurse.

C. Pain rated as 3 out of 10 reflects the client’s personal perception of discomfort. Although a scale is used, pain intensity is subjective because only the client can describe it.

D. Information provided by the partner is still based on reported experience rather than direct measurement by the nurse. This makes it subjective data, even though it comes from a secondary source.