"This type of situation has to be so frightening for a PICU patient's family, and unfortunately, I can foresee that it happens often. I would take time to explain the patient's medical condition to them at a level they could understand and I would not leave until I was sure they understood. I have dealt with this many times in my nursing career, but one time in particular sticks out to me. I was caring for a patient who had been admitted after a car accident, and after she had a CT scan on her head, a mass was found on her pituitary gland. The doctors did not think the mass was cancerous, and the patient was told it was likely benign; but unfortunately, she didn't know the meaning of benign. Later, when I went to check on the patient, she was devastated and thought she had brain cancer. Luckily, I was able to help explain the situation to her, just like I would do in the situation with the patient's family you described to me."

In this situation as a PICU nurse, you should describe how you would take time to help the family understand what is going on with their child's health and condition. A more successful answer to this question would include a specific example from your career where you helped clarify a diagnosis, procedure, or other medical-related situation when a patient or their family was confused. Make sure to reiterate that you would handle any follow-up necessary in a quick manner to ensure that the family's questions are answered.