A physician tells a terminal prognosis; after leaving the room, which therapeutic statement should the nurse make?

• A. Would you like me to fetch more information now?
• B. What did your doctor tell you about your condition? Can you tell me what you're thinking about?
• C. You'll be okay; try to stay positive.
• D. We'll discuss your care plan in two weeks.

Answer: (B)

Effective communication after delivering a terminal prognosis focuses on inviting the patient to process what they were told and to share their thoughts and feelings. Asking, “What did your doctor tell you about your condition? Can you tell me what you’re thinking about?” opens a space for the patient to process information, express emotions, and reveal any misunderstandings. It validates their experience, assesses their understanding, and guides the nurse in responding with empathy and clarity. This approach respects autonomy and sets up a collaborative conversation about next steps and support.

Saying you should fetch more information can feel like avoiding the emotional or cognitive reactions in the moment. Offering reassurance like “You’ll be okay; try to stay positive” can shut down honest emotional processing and may minimize the patient’s experience. Delaying discussion of the care plan by weeks postpones essential planning and support during a difficult time.