An 85-year-old has difficulty walking after a knee replacement. The patient tells the nurse, 'It's awful to be old. Every day is a struggle. No one cares about old people.' Select the nurse's best response.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it shows empathy and encourages the patient to express their feelings. By saying "Tell me about it," the nurse acknowledges the patient's struggle and opens up the opportunity for the patient to share more about their feelings and concerns. This can help build a therapeutic relationship and provide emotional support.
Choice A is incorrect because it dismisses the patient's feelings by making a general statement about everyone caring without addressing the patient's specific concerns.
Choice C is incorrect because it invalidates the patient's emotions by suggesting to focus on positivity without addressing the patient's current distress.
Choice D is incorrect because it minimizes the patient's struggle by only focusing on physical abilities and cognitive function without addressing the emotional aspect of the patient's statement.