How should you respond to a patient worried about dying and suffering because of past actions?

Engaging with a patient who expresses worries about dying and suffering as a result of their past actions requires a compassionate and supportive approach. The choice to offer to contact a chaplain reflects an understanding of the emotional and spiritual dimensions of palliative care. It acknowledges the patient’s concerns and validates their feelings by suggesting a resource that can provide specialized support.

Chaplains are trained to address spiritual distress, facilitate conversations about existential worries, and help individuals find peace with their past. By offering to connect the patient with the chaplain, the nurse is not only demonstrating empathy but also providing an avenue for the patient to explore their feelings, process their guilt or fear, and possibly find solace.

While focusing on the present or advising the patient to let go of guilt may provide some immediate comfort, these responses do not fully address the deeper emotional or spiritual concerns the patient is voicing. Dismissing their feelings as unfounded can make the patient feel isolated or misunderstood, which is counterproductive in palliative care. Thus, the choice to involve a chaplain stands out as a more holistic and supportive response.