The nurse caring for a patient who has had surgery for oral cancer realizes that the most important long-term need for this patient is what?
A) Verbal communication
B) Nutrition
C) Social support
D) Fluid balance
Ans: A
Feedback: Verbal communication may be impaired by radical surgery for oral cancer. It is therefore vital to assess the patient's ability to communicate in writing before surgery. Pen and paper are provided postoperatively to patients who can use them to communicate. A communication board with commonly used words or pictures is obtained preoperatively and given after surgery to patients who cannot write so that they may point to needed items. A speech therapist is also consulted postoperatively. Nutrition, social support, and fluid balance are all important, but they are not as important to the patient long-term as communication.
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