A 5 year old child is admitted in hospital. The best nursing action for parents who are displaying anger and… - MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Medium

Appeared in: MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Explanation

Acknowledging and validating the parents' feelings of anger and guilt is a fundamental therapeutic nursing action that shows empathy.
This approach helps to build a trusting relationship, making the parents feel heard and understood, which can reduce their emotional distress.
Anticipating that parents may experience these emotions allows the nurse to respond supportively and professionally rather than becoming defensive.
Allowing family members to verbalize their feelings of remorse, guilt, and anger is a key therapeutic intervention to help them cope appropriately.

Option A: This is a non-therapeutic technique known as self-disclosure, which inappropriately shifts the focus from the parents' needs to the nurse's personal experience.
Option B: This dismisses and invalidates the parents' legitimate emotions. It can be perceived as uncaring and may prevent the parents from processing their feelings.
Option C: This approach is paternalistic and can be perceived as lecturing or scolding. It is likely to increase the parents' feelings of guilt and anxiety rather than alleviate them.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Therapeutic communication with families in crisis to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Building a therapeutic alliance with parents is a core component of family-centered care, which is essential for the well-being of a hospitalized child.
Failure to address parental distress can lead to non-adherence with the treatment plan, increased family stress, and poor satisfaction with care.
Nurses must be able to differentiate between anger that is a symptom of distress and anger that poses a threat to safety, and respond appropriately in each case.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question type. This is a 'best action' question, requiring you to apply principles of therapeutic communication.
Analyze the clinical scenario: A child's hospitalization is a crisis for parents. Anger and guilt are common, predictable reactions.
Evaluate each option based on its therapeutic value. The goal is to provide support and build trust.
Eliminate non-therapeutic options: Giving personal examples (self-disclosure), distracting (dismissing feelings), and lecturing (judgmental) are all incorrect approaches.
Select the option that validates the family's experience. Acknowledging feelings is a foundational therapeutic technique that demonstrates empathy and provides support.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Therapeutic communication with families in crisis
Stem keywords: 5 year old child, hospital, parents, anger, guilt, nursing action
Lead-in keywords: best
Clinical cues: Parents displaying anger and guilt: This is a common and expected emotional response to the stress of a child's hospitalization, often stemming from feelings of helplessness and fear.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 111-113

E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 1 (pp 36-238 of 713) p. 67-69