A nurse enters the room of a client who insists that they need to smoke. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial response by the nurse to address the client's stress-related behavior?

• A. Acknowledge the client's feelings and explore alternative coping strategies for stress.
• B. Ignore the client's request and continue with the planned care activities.
• C. Offer the client a nicotine patch without further discussion.
• D. Remind the client that smoking is not allowed and leave the room immediately.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the core issue in the scenario, which is the client's expressed need to smoke as a stress-related behavior.
2. Step 2: Understand the importance of therapeutic communication in nursing, which involves acknowledging the client's feelings to build trust and rapport.
3. Step 3: Recognize that ignoring the client's request or abruptly ending the interaction can increase stress and damage the nurse-client relationship.
4. Step 4: Consider that offering a nicotine patch without discussion may overlook the client's emotional needs and does not address the underlying stress.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most appropriate initial response is to acknowledge the client's feelings and explore alternative coping strategies, which supports emotional validation and promotes healthier stress management.