The daughter is exhausted about placing mother in long-term care; what should the nurse do?

• A. Advise placement immediately
• B. Listen and provide information for respite care and explore options together
• C. Schedule a conference with administration
• D. Refuse to discuss further

Answer: (B)

When a family caregiver is overwhelmed by the idea of long-term placement, the nurse’s approach should be to listen closely, acknowledge the stress, and explore practical options together. By giving the daughter space to express her feelings and then providing clear information, the nurse helps her feel supported rather than pushed into a decision.

Offering information about respite care and other supports gives the daughter a safe path to rest and recharge while staying engaged in the care plan. Respite care can come in several forms—brief in-home relief, adult day services, or temporary stays—so the caregiver can take breaks without abandoning the person who needs care. Discussing these options collaboratively helps ensure decisions align with what the mother needs, what the daughter can manage, and what everyone values about quality of life and safety.

This approach also reinforces patient involvement to the extent possible and helps plan next steps, such as arranging a social work or care coordination consult, gathering details about the mother’s condition and home safety, and identifying community resources. Jumping straight to placement, arranging a conference with administration, or shutting down discussion misses the opportunity to support the family and may erode trust, whereas a compassionate, information-rich conversation keeps the focus on safe, realistic, and humane care planning.