Which nursing intervention best supports a family member who expresses anger after a kidney transplant?

• A. Encourage the family member to share frustration regarding the loss of the kidney
• B. Provide education about the transplant immunosuppressive regimen to reduce anxiety
• C. Offer to arrange a formal counseling session for grief
• D. Suggest the family member focus on practical tasks to support the patient

Answer: (A)

When someone is facing the reality of a kidney transplant, anger often masks grief and a sense of loss. Encouraging the family member to share frustration about losing the kidney gives them a safe outlet to express what they’re feeling, helping them process the change rather than bottling it up. The nurse supports this by listening actively, using open-ended questions, and validating that anger is a normal response to loss and adjustment. This emotional processing strengthens coping and helps the family member engage more constructively in caring for the patient.

Education about the immunosuppressive regimen is important for reducing anxiety about medications, but it doesn't directly address the emotional reaction to loss. Formal grief counseling can be beneficial if anger persists, but the immediate, best step is to invite expression of the underlying feelings. Focusing solely on practical tasks may help temporarily, yet it misses the essential work of processing the emotional impact of the transplant.