The patient being evaluated for a heart transplant asks the nurse what the survival rate is. Which is the correct response by the nurse?
a. "I'm not really sure. It is better if you ask your surgeon."
b. "Every patient has different circums-tances, but the average 5-year survival rate is 70%."
c. "The survival rate is excellent. Almost all patients with a heart transplant live past 10 years."
d. "There are not any really good statistics for me to give you an accurate estimate."
B
Identifying individual cases vary while giving accurate statistics is the most helpful response. Stating "I'm not really sure" does not instill confidence in the nurse's ability or knowledge. Al-though a significant number of patients live past 10 years following heart transplant, responding that almost all patients live past 10 years is inaccurate and instills false hope.
You might also like to view...
Which factor should be examined FIRST when the LP/VN is establishing priorities of care for a client?
a. To whom can certain tasks be assigned? b. Has the client previously been assigned to be cared for by unlicensed assistive personnel? c. What is the client's current health care status? d. Has the client been hospitalized before?
The nurse in an urgent care center assesses an adult client who presents with a fever of 101.2 °F and complaints of painful urination. What should the nurse ask to elicit further data that indicates cystitis?
A) "Do you have any symptoms of menopause?" B) "How long have you had a fever, and have you had chills with this?" C) "Do you have any upper abdominal pain or cramping?" D) "What color is your urine?"
An older adult man has been diagnosed as having diminished depth perception. What does the nurse expect him to have difficulty with in his everyday activities?
a. Judging the height of steps. b. Reading small print on food labels. c. Reading street signs. d. Seeing in dim light.
A patient is scheduled for colorectal surgery tomorrow. He does not have sepsis; his WBC count is normal, he has no fever, and he is otherwise in good health. However, there is an order to administer an antibiotic on call before he goes to surgery. The nurse knows that the rationale for this antibiotic order is to
A. Provide empiric therapy B. Provide prophylactic therapy C. Treat for a superinfection D. Reduce the number of resistant organisms