The client who is dying states to the nurse, 'I hope I am worthy of heaven.' Which intervention should the nurse implement first after determining that this client is experiencing fear?

Fear can range from a paralyzing, overwhelming feeling to a mild concern. Therefore, the nurse would first assess the nature of the client's fears to know how best to help the client. Next, the nurse would help the client express his or her fears. The client's fear may not be limited to the fear of dying, and the nurse needs this information to help the client. After the nurse is aware of the client's fears, the methods that the client used to cope with fear in the past are identified. From the interventions listed, the nurse would document verbal and nonverbal expressions of fear and any other significant data as a final intervention.