The nurse is caring for a 25-year-old soldier on the day following an enucleation due to traumatic injury. The soldier states, "My girlfriend probably won't have anything to do with me since I'll never look the same!"
What is an appropriate response by the nurse?
1. "You'll probably get your temporary prosthesis in a week and your permanent one in 1 or 2 months. Most people won't know which eye is which."
2. "I wouldn't worry; your girlfriend is not going to give up on you."
3. "Your hearing aid will be nearly invisible; no one will know you have one."
4. "Why don't you tell a couple of your friends to bring you a pizza? That will cheer you up."
Correct Answer: 1
For an enucleation, temporary eye prosthesis will be placed in approximately one week and a permanent prosthesis is fitted 1-2 months following surgery. Often it is difficult to discern which eye is functional and which is the prosthesis. This patient is concerned about his appearance and addressing this issue while offering information and encouragement is appropriate. The nurse does not know the feelings of the girlfriend. An enucleation involves the eye, not the ear. Telling the patient that his friends will cheer him up is avoiding his concern about the possible change to his appearance.
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