The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with catatonia. Which of the following should be a priority action by the nurse?

Choice A reason:
Telling the client to call their boss and ask for their job back may not be the most supportive response. It could add stress by suggesting immediate action when the client may not be in a position to address the issue effectively due to their hospitalization.

Choice B reason:
This response might come across as dismissive, implying that the client's concerns are not valid or important. It does not offer emotional support or acknowledge the client's feelings about the situation.

Choice C reason:
Questioning why the partner would share such upsetting news does not provide comfort or support to the client. It could potentially create additional stress by introducing doubts about the partner's intentions.

Choice D reason:
This empathetic response acknowledges the client's likely emotional reaction to the news. It validates the client's feelings without making assumptions or judgments about the situation, which is an important aspect of nurse-client communication.

Choice A Reason:
Offering false reassurance occurs when a nurse or healthcare provider dismisses a patient's concerns with general comforting statements without addressing the reality of the situation or the patient's feelings. In this case, the nurse's response of "Don't worry, no one will harm your family" is an attempt to alleviate the patient's anxiety without acknowledging the patient's fear or providing a realistic plan to ensure the safety of the patient's family. This type of communication can undermine trust and prevent the patient from feeling heard and supported.

Choice B Reason:
Offering sympathy involves sharing feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. While the nurse's response may seem sympathetic, it does not directly express shared emotions or an understanding of the patient's distress. Therefore, it does not represent offering sympathy as a communication breakdown in this context.

Choice C Reason:
Providing a passive response would involve the nurse not actively engaging with the patient's concerns or failing to provide any response. Since the nurse in the scenario does respond to the patient's statement, this does not constitute a passive response.

Choice D Reason:
Showing disapproval would involve the nurse expressing judgment or criticism of the patient's feelings or actions. The nurse's response does not contain elements of judgment or criticism; rather, it is an attempt to reassure the patient, albeit falsely.