The nurse in a pediatric ICU is caring for a child who is dying of sickle cell anemia. The childs mother has been unable to eat or sleep and can talk only about her impending loss and the guilt she feels about the childs pain and suffering. What intervention has the highest priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Allowing the patient to express her feelings without judging her. This intervention has the highest priority as it focuses on providing emotional support and creating a safe space for the mother to express her emotions without feeling judged. In this situation, the mother is experiencing intense guilt and grief, and allowing her to talk about her feelings can help her process her emotions and cope with the impending loss. By listening actively and without judgment, the nurse can demonstrate empathy and compassion, which are crucial in supporting the mother through this difficult time.
Summary:
B: Helping the patient to understand the phases of the grieving process may be helpful, but it is not the highest priority at this moment.
C: Reassuring the patient that the child's death is not her fault is important, but the priority is to address the mother's emotional needs first.
D: Arranging for genetic counseling is not the highest priority at this time as the immediate focus should be on providing emotional support to the mother