A client just received a new terminal diagnosis and begins crying. The nurse should:

THERAPEUTIC PRESENCE in grief: The most therapeutic response to tears is PRESENCE and PERMISSION — allowing the grief without rushing to stop it or fix it.

Why staying is correct: Leaving 'to give privacy' communicates that the nurse is uncomfortable with their grief — the client is already alone with a devastating diagnosis.

Tissues: Practical comfort without interrupting the emotional process.

Gentle touch: When culturally appropriate and welcomed; some clients find touch comforting, others do not — read cues.

Silence: Crying clients do not need words; quiet reassurance ('I'm here') is sufficient.

False reassurance: 'Everything will be okay' when the client has a terminal diagnosis is a lie — it destroys trust.

Subject change: Communicates that the nurse cannot tolerate the client's feelings — shuts down future disclosure. The therapeutic role in grief is to witness and accompany — not to fix, cheer, or rush.