Which nurse response would be therapeutic to a client overwhelmed by family demands and job strain?

• A. You seem to be going through quite a lot recently. I'd like to hear more from you about your concerns. Would your family come in and talk with us?
• B. You need to manage your household yourself.
• C. Your family isn't helping; blame them.
• D. You should sleep more.

Answer: (A)

Therapeutic communication here focuses on validating the client’s distress, inviting deeper sharing, and offering collaborative support. A response that recognizes that the client is overwhelmed (“You seem to be going through quite a lot recently”) communicates empathy and nonjudgmental acknowledgment. Following that with an invitation to talk more about their concerns (“I'd like to hear more from you about your concerns”) uses open-ended questioning that encourages the client to express specific feelings and stressors, reducing isolation and clarifying what help is needed.

Suggesting that the family might come in to talk with the care team adds a potential supportive step without pushing the client into something they’re not ready for. It signals partnership, boundary-setting, and the possibility of a broader support network, while still allowing the client to guide the pace and extent of involvement.

In contrast, responses that instruct the client to handle things themselves, blame the family, or offer a quick fix like “sleep more” tend to minimize the client’s experience, shift blame, or overlook the need for listening and collaboration. The therapeutic approach centers on listening, validating feelings, and exploring supportive options that the client finds acceptable.