A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. The client tells the nurse, "Government agents are out to get me." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. "You will be okay.": Providing vague reassurance does not address the client’s expressed fear or delusional belief. It may minimize the client’s emotional experience and does not promote therapeutic communication. Effective responses should acknowledge the client’s feelings without validating the delusion. B. "Feelings of persecution are normal with your condition.": Labeling the client’s experience as part of the illness can feel dismissive and may increase defensiveness. It focuses on the diagnosis rather than the client’s emotional state and does not foster trust or therapeutic rapport. C. "It must be frightening to believe that someone is after you.": This response reflects empathy and validates the client’s emotional experience without confirming the delusional content. Therapeutic communication with clients experiencing persecutory delusions involves acknowledging feelings while avoiding reinforcement of false beliefs. This approach promotes trust and supports reality orientation. D. "Let me check to see if it's time to take your medication.": Redirecting immediately to medication shifts focus away from the client’s expressed fear and may be perceived as dismissive. While antipsychotic medication is important in managing schizophrenia, the immediate nursing response should prioritize therapeutic communication and emotional support.