The wife of a victim of a gas explosion says, "It's not bad enough that I've been left alone to care for two children — now the company is denying our claim for compensation and we have to join a class action suit to get my husband's pension." Which statement by the nurse would be therapeutic?

• A. This is a difficult situation, but you must stay strong for your children.
• B. You're saying that being left a widow with children is difficult enough, but now you've got to fight for your benefits.
• C. I know this is overwhelming, but it will get easier with time.
• D. Let me tell you exactly how the compensation process works.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is using validation and reflective listening to acknowledge the client’s feelings and encourage her to express more. The best response paraphrases her experience and validates the burden she’s carrying, showing you hear her pain and the added stress of fighting for benefits without rushing to offer solutions or judgments. Saying, “You're saying that being left a widow with children is difficult enough, but now you've got to fight for your benefits,” does exactly that. It mirrors her words, names the emotional weight, and invites her to talk more about what she’s experiencing.

Other options miss the mark by either pushing resilience in a way that can feel dismissive, minimizing her distress by suggesting it will get easier with time, or shifting immediately to procedural details rather than addressing her emotions.