The registered nurse (RN) has been caring for a terminally ill client. The RN has developed a close ...

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Rationale: Maintaining effective and open communication among family members affected by death and grief is of utmost importance. The RN needs to maintain and enhance communication, as well as preserve the family's sense of self-direction and control. Encouraging family discus-sion of feelings is likely to enhance communications. Accepting the family's expressions of anger is also an effective technique, and the family needs to know that someone will be there who is supportive and nonjudgmental. Facilitating the use of spiritual practices identified by the family is also an effective intervention, because spiritual practices give meaning to life and have an impact on how people react to crisis. Making decisions for the family removes autonomy and decision making from the family at a time when they are already experiencing feelings of loss of control. This is an ineffective intervention that can impair communication.