Which is an appropriate nursing intervention when a family member expresses anger after loss?

• A. Listen actively and validate feelings
• B. Tell them to move on
• C. Punish them for displaying anger
• D. Discourage discussion of emotions

Answer: (A)

When someone is grieving, anger is a natural and common reaction. The best nursing approach is to listen actively and validate their feelings. Active listening means giving full attention, using open-ended prompts, and reflecting back what you hear so the person feels understood. Validating feelings means acknowledging the emotion without judgment, for example, recognizing that their anger is understandable given their loss. This combination helps the family member feel heard, reduces defensiveness, and facilitates emotional processing and coping.

Telling them to move on undermines their current experience and can block healthy grieving. Punishing someone for expressing anger is harmful and inappropriate, as it misuses authority and damages trust. Discouraging discussion of emotions prevents important bereavement work and can lead to longer-term distress. By contrast, listening with empathy and validating emotions creates a safe space for expression and supports the healing process.