A stillborn baby was delivered in the birthing suite a few hours ago. After the delivery, the family remained together, holding and touching the baby. Which statement by the nurse would assist the fam- ily in their period of grief?

“What can I do for you?”“Now you have an angel in heaven.”“Don’t worry, there is nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening.”“We will see to it that you have an early discharge so that you don’t have to be reminded of this experience.”

Explanation.

When a loss or death occurs, the nurse should ensure that parents have been honestly told about the situation by their health care provider or others on the health care team. It is important for the nurse to be with the parents at this time and to use therapeutic communication techniques. The nurse must also consider cultural and religious practices and beliefs. The correct option provides a supportive, giving, and caring response. Options 2, 3, and 4 are blocks to communication and devalue the parents’ feelings.