A victim of sexual assault is in crisis; which nurse statement is most supportive?

• A. Tell me how you feel about the issue.
• B. You should move on and try to forget it.
• C. I can understand why this might be hard for you.
• D. Tell me more about why you feel like the assault just occurred.

Answer: (D)

In crisis care, the goal is to validate the survivor’s experience and invite them to share what they are feeling in their own words. The best response is an open-ended, nonjudgmental prompt that centers the person’s current emotional state and encourages them to describe their feelings in detail. Saying, “Tell me more about why you feel like the assault just occurred” invites them to articulate what they’re experiencing right now—whether it’s fear, confusion, or distress—while giving them control over how much they want to disclose and when. This approach demonstrates empathy, supports the survivor, and helps the nurse assess safety, coping needs, and potential triggers.

Telling them how they should feel shifts the focus to the nurse’s perspective. Suggesting they move on or forget it minimizes the trauma, and a generic statement of understanding may not encourage the survivor to elaborate on their specific experience or current distress. By asking them to expand on their feelings, the nurse creates a supportive, patient-centered space that can guide immediate care and ongoing support.