What is the nurse’s best response to maintain a therapeutic nurse-client relationship?

The nurse is having a very busy 12- hour day shift. He did not sleep the previous night because of a terrible headache. One of the clients insults the nurse with inappropriate comments. The nurse feels very hurt and upset. What is the nurse’s best response to maintain a therapeutic nurse-client relationship?

1. The nurse should tell the client that he does not appreciate the rude comments and document the comments in the progress notes.

2. The nurse should explain to the client that if she insults him again with an inappropriate comment, he will discontinue care as her primary nurse.

3. The nurse should recognize that the client is not healthy and that her welfare is always more important than the nurse’s feelings. The nurse should also try to ignore the client’s comments.

4. The nurse should refrain from responding to the client’s comments immediately. The nurse should ask the client to return to her room and he will come to speak with her privately.