A patient has recently been given a terminal diagnosis. When family members offer to help, the patient snaps and yells at them, but then angrily accuses them of not helping. The patient's spouse is frustrated and asks the hospice nurse what to do about this situation. What response by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anger is one of the stages of grief as identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. The nurse would first explain this to the spouse. Telling the spouse the patient will get over the phase soon or that the diagnosis is difficult to handle is false reassurance and dismissive of the concerns. It is too early to consider counseling although the patient may need it later. This is also a yes/no question which is not therapeutic.

A Patient Has Recently Been Given a Terminal Diagnosis