A recent immigrant from China is critically ill and dying. To address emotional needs, which question would the nurse ask when collecting information?

A recent immigrant from China is critically ill and dying. To address emotional needs, which question would the nurse ask when collecting information?

• A. Which family member do you prefer to receive information
• B. What is your preferred language?
• C. Do you have religious or cultural considerations?
• D. Would you like music during care?

Answer: (A)

Focusing on emotional needs means finding ways to provide comfort, support, and a sense of control for a patient who is dying. Asking which family member the patient prefers to receive information directly engages the person closest to the patient in a way that helps them feel understood, respected, and less isolated. It acknowledges that emotional well-being is closely tied to trusted relationships and clear, supported communication. By identifying who should be informed, the nurse can arrange presence, reassurance, and advocacy in a manner that aligns with the patient’s values and cultural context, which is especially important for someone from a different cultural background. While asking about language, cultural or religious considerations, or adding comforts like music are important for overall care, they don’t address the core emotional need of ensuring the patient’s emotional support system is known and engaged.

Focusing on emotional needs means finding ways to provide comfort, support, and a sense of control for a patient who is dying. Asking which family member the patient prefers to receive information directly engages the person closest to the patient in a way that helps them feel understood, respected, and less isolated. It acknowledges that emotional well-being is closely tied to trusted relationships and clear, supported communication. By identifying who should be informed, the nurse can arrange presence, reassurance, and advocacy in a manner that aligns with the patient’s values and cultural context, which is especially important for someone from a different cultural background.

While asking about language, cultural or religious considerations, or adding comforts like music are important for overall care, they don’t address the core emotional need of ensuring the patient’s emotional support system is known and engaged.