An 18-year-old male patient informs the nurse that he isn’t sure if he is homosexual because he is attracted to both genders. Which response by the nurse will help establish a trusting relationship?

Choice A reason: Dismissing the patient’s feelings as a phase minimizes their experience, risking trust. Sexual orientation exploration is normal in adolescence, and this response fails to validate the patient’s concerns, potentially alienating them, making it an inappropriate choice for building rapport. Choice B reason: Suggesting to stop sexual activities if they feel bad implies judgment and may shame the patient. It does not normalize their exploration or foster trust, focusing on negative outcomes rather than open dialogue, making this choice less effective. Choice C reason: Labeling impulses as abnormal is judgmental and stigmatizing, damaging trust. It pathologizes normal sexual orientation exploration, discouraging open communication and potentially harming the patient’s self-esteem, making this an inappropriate response for a therapeutic relationship. Choice D reason: Affirming that curiosity about both genders is normal at this age validates the patient’s feelings, fostering trust. It supports open exploration of sexual orientation without judgment, aligning with therapeutic communication principles, making this the correct response.