A patient with liver failure rings the call bell and tells the nurse, "The lunch is cold, and my sheets are wrinkled. You never seem to have enough help to give me the care I need.". Which intervention should the nurse implement initially?

Question

a. Listen quietly but attentively until the patient has finished speaking.
b. Attempt to correct each problem the patient has identified immediately.
c. Say to the patient, "I'm sorry but please know that the staff is really doing the best they can.".
d. Promise the patient to share all of the concerns with the unit's nurse manager on day shift.

Answer 1

A
Ways in which the nurse can respond to patient or family concerns include, among others, listening without interrupting or defending, and providing what is requested if possible. For this reason, the nurse should initially listen to the patient before attempting to correct the perceived problems.