The widow of a man killed in a hit-and-run says she hates him; the offender was someone she looked up to. Which nursing statement would be therapeutic?

• A. You must forgive him
• B. You not only lost your husband but also learned it was at the hands of someone you looked up to.
• C. You are overreacting
• D. This will pass

Answer: (B)

Therapeutic communication in nursing focuses on reflecting the patient’s true feelings and validating complex emotions without judgment. In this case, the widow is expressing hatred toward the offender while the offender is someone she once admired. The best statement acknowledges both parts of her experience: she has suffered a loss and is also dealing with the shock of betrayal by someone she looked up to. By saying, you not only lost your husband but also learned it was at the hands of someone you looked up to, the nurse validates the pain, the sense of betrayal, and the dilemma of mixed emotions. This opens space for her to explore how she feels, why those feelings exist, and how she might cope, rather than pressuring her to forgive or minimizing her anger. The other options either push forgiveness, dismiss her feelings, or oversimplify the situation, which can hinder honest communication and processing.