A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed massage therapy to treat panic disorder. The client states, I can’t stand to be touched by another person. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Assuring anxiety will lessen dismisses the client’s touch aversion, a valid concern in panic disorder, risking increased distress during massage. It assumes compliance over comfort, ignoring individual needs. This minimizes their fear, lacking empathy, so it’s not therapeutic or appropriate. Choice B reason: Offering to inform the provider respects the client’s aversion, advocating for an alternative like medication or CBT suited to panic disorder. It empowers them, aligning with patient-centered care and safety. This response addresses their preference effectively, making it the correct choice. Choice C reason: Requesting gloves doesn’t resolve the core issue of touch intolerance in panic disorder, as contact itself triggers anxiety, not just skin exposure. It’s a superficial fix, unlikely to reduce distress. This misses the client’s broader concern, so it’s inadequate. Choice D reason: Asking why probes the aversion, potentially useful for therapy, but delays immediate action on the massage concern in panic disorder. It shifts focus from solution to exploration, less urgent than adjusting treatment. This isn’t the priority response now.