Review Question - QID 217219

"I understand that this will be hard to hear, but your son is dead. We are here to support you through this difficult time" is the most appropriate response in this scenario because it incorporates direct communication, acknowledges distress, employs empathy, and offers open-ended support.

There are a number of core principles that should be employed when delivering bad news in medicine. The stage must be set correctly so that patients are aware that they are going to have an important discussion and that permission has been obtained to discuss the information. The first principle is that communication should be direct so that the information is clearly understood rather than using euphemisms or imprecise language. The second is that the distress should be acknowledged and empathy should be offered. Finally, the healthcare provider should offer to support either the patient or loved ones who have received the bad news. One method of addressing emotions effectively in healthcare is NURS, which stands for name, understand, respect, and support.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: "I am sorry your son has passed away, but at least he didn't suffer" is not the preferred answer because it does not offer support, uses euphemisms, and does not empathize with the emotion.

Answer 2: "I know that you likely have a lot of questions, but your son is dead. We can take you to view his body now if you would like that" is not the most preferred answer because it moves too quickly towards specific actions without acknowledging distress or providing empathy.

Answer 4: "Unfortunately I have some bad news. Your son has passed away. What questions do you have?" is not the most preferred answer because it uses euphemisms (i.e., passed away) and does not acknowledge the emotion. The parents will likely have questions that need to be answered but initially the emotion needs to be addressed.

Answer 5: "We did everything in our power to try to save your son but he died. There was nothing else we could have done" is not the preferred answer because it does not acknowledge the emotion or offer empathy or support.

Bullet Summary:
Clear communication, empathy, acknowledging distress, and providing support are the key principles of delivering bad news.