After delivering bad news to a patient, which approach is most therapeutic?

• A. Provide immediate statistics about prognosis.
• B. Tell them to stay hopeful and avoid discussing fears.
• C. Ask what they are thinking and feeling about the news.
• D. Change the subject to a neutral topic.

Answer: (C)

The focus here is on therapeutic communication after delivering bad news, specifically inviting the patient to share their thoughts and feelings. This approach honors the patient’s emotional response, validates their experience, and creates space for processing what was just shared.

Asking what they are thinking and feeling about the news is the best answer because it opens a conversation that centers the patient’s experience. It helps you gauge their emotional state, concerns, and immediate needs, and it signals to them that you’re listening and present. This open-ended question invites them to express fears, questions, or preferences, which guides how you provide support, information, and next steps in a way that fits their coping process.

The other approaches miss opportunities for processing and support. Providing immediate prognosis statistics can feel overwhelming or depersonalized, shifting focus from the patient’s experience to data. Telling them to stay hopeful and avoid discussing fears suppresses genuine emotions and can undermine autonomy. Changing the subject to a neutral topic interrupts processing and may convey avoidance.