During a therapy session, a client begins to cry while discussing a traumatic experience. What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?

Choice A rationale
Providing information is the communication technique used by the nurse in this scenario. The nurse is giving the patient information about the benefits of taking pain medication before physical therapy, which helps the patient understand and manage their pain effectively.
Choice B rationale
Confrontation involves addressing discrepancies or conflicts directly, which is not what the nurse is doing in this scenario. The nurse is providing information, not confronting the patient.
Choice C rationale
Summarizing involves restating the main points of a conversation to ensure understanding. While the nurse is providing information, they are not summarizing the conversation.
Choice D rationale
Probing involves asking questions to gain more information. The nurse is not asking questions in this scenario but is providing information to the patient.

Choice A rationale
The statement “The vital signs are stable” is incorrect for the fifth step of the SBAR communication tool. The fifth step in SBAR is the Recommendation step, where the nurse provides a recommendation or request for what action should be taken next. Stating that the vital signs are stable does not provide a clear recommendation or action plan for the provider to follow.
Choice B rationale
The statement “The client has a history of high blood pressure” is incorrect for the fifth step of the SBAR communication tool. This information belongs in the Background step, where the nurse provides relevant clinical background information about the patient’s condition. The Recommendation step should focus on what action the nurse recommends based on the assessment.
Choice C rationale
The statement “The client should be seen by a neurologist” is correct for the fifth step of the SBAR communication tool. In the Recommendation step, the nurse provides a clear and specific recommendation for what action should be taken next. Recommending that the client be seen by a neurologist is an appropriate and actionable recommendation based on the nurse’s assessment.
Choice D rationale
The statement “The client is experiencing severe headaches” is incorrect for the fifth step of the SBAR communication tool. This information belongs in the Assessment step, where the nurse provides an analysis of the patient’s current condition. The Recommendation step should focus on what action the nurse recommends based on the assessment.