Which statement by the nurse is the strongest example of ageism by professional nurses?

A. "With the older population increasing so dramatically in numbers, nursing will have a difficult time meeting their needs." While this may reflect a concern about workforce capacity, it doesn’t necessarily express bias against older adults. B. "It takes a special nurse to provide good care to the older population of clients." This implies that geriatric care requires skill and commitment; it may be positive, not ageist. C. "It is so difficult to find nurses who are truly effective geriatric nurses." This is more of a critique of nurse preparation, not a negative generalization about older clients themselves. D. "It's difficult for a nurse to develop an effective relationship with an older client because of the barriers their age creates." This is a clear example of ageism, as it makes a blanket assumption that older clients are inherently hard to connect with due to their age, rather than acknowledging individuality and the nurse's role in effective communication.