A client comes to the emergency department reporting a headache. The client is diagnosed with hypertension and is given a prescription for an antihypertensive. In reviewing the discharge instructions, the client declines the prescription and tells the nurse ‘it is in God's hands now.’ What is the nurse's best response to the client?

A client comes to the emergency department reporting a headache. The client is diagnosed with hypertension and is given a prescription for an antihypertensive. In reviewing the discharge instructions, the client declines the prescription and tells the nurse ‘it is in God's hands now.’ What is the nurse's best response to the client?

• A. You should still take the prescription.
• B. Can you tell me more about what that means?
• C. God's hands can't manage high blood pressure.
• D. We should stop treatment.

Answer: (B)

Opening a dialogue that respects the patient’s beliefs while gathering their concerns is the key idea here. The best response invites the patient to share more about what their statement means in their own terms, which helps you understand how faith influences treatment decisions and what worries or barriers they may have about the medication. By asking, “Can you tell me more about what that means?” you create a nonjudgmental space to explore whether they have fears about side effects, doubts about medical treatment, or a desire to rely on spiritual healing. This approach supports informed, collaborative decision-making that honors autonomy and safety, and it can lead to a plan that aligns medical care with the patient’s beliefs—such as addressing concerns, offering information, and discussing possible ways to integrate spiritual practices with treatment. Directly pressuring them to take the prescription or dismissing their faith can erode trust and overlook legitimate concerns, so inviting conversation is the most constructive path.

Opening a dialogue that respects the patient’s beliefs while gathering their concerns is the key idea here. The best response invites the patient to share more about what their statement means in their own terms, which helps you understand how faith influences treatment decisions and what worries or barriers they may have about the medication. By asking, “Can you tell me more about what that means?” you create a nonjudgmental space to explore whether they have fears about side effects, doubts about medical treatment, or a desire to rely on spiritual healing. This approach supports informed, collaborative decision-making that honors autonomy and safety, and it can lead to a plan that aligns medical care with the patient’s beliefs—such as addressing concerns, offering information, and discussing possible ways to integrate spiritual practices with treatment. Directly pressuring them to take the prescription or dismissing their faith can erode trust and overlook legitimate concerns, so inviting conversation is the most constructive path.