You are caring for an 88-year-old female who is scheduled for a right mastectomy. You know that elderly patients are more anxious prior to surgery than younger patients. What would you increase with this patient to decrease her anxiety?
A) Teaching on guided imagery
B) Therapeutic touch
C) Preoperative medication
D) Sleeping medication the night before surgery
Ans: B
Feedback: Older patients report higher levels of preoperative anxiety; therefore, the nurse should be prepared to spend additional time, increase the amount of therapeutic touch utilized, and encourage family members to be present to decrease anxiety. Option A is incorrect; an anxious patient often does not retain increased instruction on alternative methods of pain or anxiety control. Options C and D are incorrect; you need an order to increase the dosage of any medication; it is not a nursing decision.
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