A terminally ill patient is angry and belligerent. He yells at the nurses and his family for not coming quickly enough when he calls, and he states that he isn't receiving the care he needs. The nurse's most informative response would be:

A. "Don’t let him get away with this abuse. He doesn’t need to yell at you": This response is dismissive of the patient's emotions and fails to address the underlying issues causing the anger. It may escalate the situation and create conflict rather than fostering understanding and support.

B. "I'm afraid he is having a bad day and feels neglected": While this response acknowledges the patient's feelings, it does not provide a broader context for understanding the patient's behavior. It may also inadvertently minimize the patient's emotions and the impact of his terminal illness.

C. "This may be how he feels best in dealing with this illness. You'll just have to ignore it": This response dismisses the patient's behavior as acceptable without exploring its underlying causes. It does not promote therapeutic communication or help address the patient's needs and concerns.

D. "Anger is a reaction that dying people experience. You may be feeling some anger yourselves": This response acknowledges the patient's emotions as a common reaction to terminal illness, normalizing his experience. It also recognizes the emotions of the nurses and family, encouraging empathy and understanding. By validating the patient's feelings and providing context, the nurse can facilitate a supportive environment and promote effective communication and care.