A wife of a dying client says, "I am able to take off the 6 months from work our doctor feels that my husband will live, but what if he lives beyond that time?" Which therapeutic response should the nurse make?

• A. There is nothing we can do to help you.
• B. Are there other options for you in taking work leave? Perhaps you could simply reduce your work hours at first so that you can extend your compassionate leave.
• C. You will have plenty of time to decide later.
• D. We will keep the leave strictly limited to the doctor’s estimate.

Answer: (B)

The situation tests how to respond with empathy and practical support to a caregiver facing an unpredictable illness trajectory. The best approach is to explore flexible options for leave, showing partnership and respect for the caregiver’s needs. Saying you could start by reducing work hours to extend compassionate leave acknowledges that the prognosis is uncertain and allows planning that can adapt to changes. It supports the caregiver’s ability to be present with her husband while still considering workplace realities, and it invites a conversation about possible accommodations, future reassessment, and referral to social work or HR resources if needed. This approach reduces caregiver stress, promotes autonomy, and aligns with patient- and family-centered care.

Less helpful responses miss the opportunity to support practical planning or validate the caregiver’s experience. Declaring there’s nothing you can do is unsupportive and ignores the caregiver’s legitimate need to plan. Limiting leave strictly to the doctor’s estimate imposes a rigid boundary that doesn’t account for the unpredictable nature of illness. Telling her she’ll have plenty of time to decide later can feel dismissive and unhelpful when there’s an immediate need to arrange support.