A parent of a 25-year-old man with a newly found left frontal brain tumor asks about the situation. Which statement by the nurse would be therapeutic?

• A. What s being planned for your son now?
• B. You should have insisted on more tests earlier.
• C. What is causing the headaches now?
• D. There is nothing more to discuss; this is not urgent.

Answer: (C)

Focusing on the patient’s current experiences and concerns is essential in therapeutic communication. Asking about what is causing the headaches now invites the parent to share immediate symptoms, worries, and information needs, which helps the nurse respond with empathy, provide relevant support, and address tangible needs like pain management, next steps for testing, or explanations about the situation. This open-ended question validates the parent’s experience and keeps the conversation centered on what matters most at the moment.

Other responses shift away from the parent’s current concerns or come across as judgmental or dismissive—talking about future plans without addressing present symptoms, blaming past actions, or suggesting there’s nothing urgent. Those approaches don’t foster meaningful dialogue or emotional support in a situation that’s likely to be emotionally charged.