The nurse comes into the room of a child who was just diagnosed with a chronic disability. The child's parents begin to yell at the nurse about a variety of concerns. Which is the nurse's best response?

A) "What is really wrong?"
B) "Being angry is only natural."
C) "Yelling at me will not change things."
D) "I will come back when you settle down."

Parental anger after the diagnosis of a child with a chronic disability is a common response. One of the most common targets for parental anger is members of the staff. The nurse should recognize the common response of anger to the diagnosis and allow the family to vent. "What is really wrong?"/"Yelling at me will not change things"/"I will come back when you settle down" will place the parents on the defensive and not facilitate communication.