The nurse has just admitted a 66-year-old patient for cardiac surgery. The patient tearfully admits to the nurse that she is afraid of dying while undergoing the surgery. What is the nurse's best response?
A) Explore the factors underlying the patient's anxiety.
B) Teach the patient guided imagery techniques.
C) Obtain an order for a PRN benzodiazepine.
D) Describe the procedure in greater detail.
Ans: A
Feedback:
An assessment of anxiety levels is required in the patient to assist the patient in identifying fears and developing coping mechanisms for those fears. The nurse must further assess and explore the patient's anxiety before providing interventions such as education or medications.
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