A hospice nurse confides to a coworker that he feels responsible that one of his clients continues to have unrelieved pain. The nurse is likely experiencing which of the following conditions?

A. Compassion fatigue occurs when a healthcare provider experiences emotional and physical exhaustion from prolonged exposure to patient suffering, leading to feelings of guilt, helplessness, and decreased ability to empathize. In this scenario, the nurse feels personally responsible for the client’s ongoing pain, which reflects the emotional strain characteristic of compassion fatigue. It often develops suddenly after exposure to repeated trauma or suffering. B. Caregiver burden generally refers to the stress experienced by family members or nonprofessional caregivers providing ongoing care for a loved one. While healthcare providers can feel stress, caregiver burden specifically involves personal care responsibilities outside of a professional role. C. Career burnout develops gradually over time due to chronic workplace stress, workload, or lack of support. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Unlike compassion fatigue, burnout is not directly tied to a single client’s suffering or feelings of guilt about patient outcomes.