A pediatric patient's parent seems anxious about the care plan. What is the nurse's best therapeutic communication strategy?

Choice A reason: Pediatric nursing requires a family-centered care approach. Ignoring a parent's anxiety can lead to a breakdown in trust and may negatively impact the child's care. Addressing parental concerns is essential for gathering accurate subjective data and ensuring the parent can effectively support the child's recovery process. Choice B reason: Anxiety often stems from a lack of information or a perceived loss of control. Providing clear, evidence-based explanations helps demystify medical procedures and reduces the parent's autonomic nervous system arousal. A calm demeanor facilitates a therapeutic environment, allowing the parent to process information and participate in shared decision-making. Choice C reason: Quick, "false" reassurances are non-therapeutic as they dismiss the parent's valid feelings. Effective communication requires active listening and presence. Moving on too quickly prevents the nurse from identifying specific stressors that may need intervention, potentially leading to increased parental distress and dissatisfaction with the healthcare team. Choice D reason: The use of medical jargon or abbreviations can increase patient and family confusion, heightening anxiety levels. To ensure health literacy, the nurse must use plain language. Medical terminology acts as a barrier to understanding and prevents the parent from providing truly informed consent for the proposed care plan.