The parents of a 20-year-old killed while driving drunk tell the nurse they are devastated and angry about her drinking. Which nurse statement would be therapeutic?

• A. We're devastated, but we are also angry that she would drink and drive when we told her over and over not to.
• B. We're devastated.
• C. We told her not to drink and drive.
• D. Your sadness over losing your daughter is mixed with anger at her driving while intoxicated.

Answer: (D)

Therapeutic communication in this setting centers on validating and reflecting the family’s feelings to help them process the loss. The best response names the mixed emotions the parents are experiencing and reflects them back in a nonjudgmental way. By saying their sadness is “mixed with anger at her driving while intoxicated,” the nurse validates both feelings as normal and legitimate, and it invites the parents to continue sharing their emotions without feeling blamed or judged. This approach, known as reflective listening, shows empathy and helps the family feel understood, which is crucial for coping after a traumatic event.

The other options miss that therapeutic mark. One option expresses both devastation and anger but directs the anger at the daughter and recounts past warnings, which can sound accusatory and shut down conversation. A brief acknowledgment of devastation alone doesn’t address the full emotional experience. Another option focuses on telling the family what they supposedly did or didn’t do, which shifts attention away from their feelings and toward past actions, not encouraging ongoing dialogue.