An LPN in an outpatient wound care clinic is caring for a 78-year-old woman recovering from a herpes zoster (shingles) outbreak that has left painful scarring on her trunk. She recently began using a new hearing aid after her adult son moved out of state for a job. During today's visit, the client is tearful with a flat affect and states, "I don't see the point of going out anymore since my son left, I just sit alone with this pain." She is oriented to person, place, and time, and her thought content shows no evidence of self-harm intent. She reports that she previously managed stress by attending her church group and gardening with a neighbor but has stopped both activities in the last month. Which response should the nurse make to this client at this time?
- “It takes time to adjust, but the loneliness will go away once you get used to your son living elsewhere.”
- “You sound lonely. Tell me how you’ve been feeling and what has made it harder to attend church or garden.”
- “Your son knows you well; let’s have him handle these feelings with you so our visits can focus on your shingles care.”
- “Let’s concentrate on the shingles pain; we can put the church and gardening concerns aside until the pain is gone.”