A nurse is seeing a patient who complains of knee pain. Her youngest child just left for college in another state. The previous day, the patient's pipes burst and the basement flooded. During the interview, the patient can't stop crying
What might the nurse consider?
1. Cumulative stressors may have overwhelmed the patient.
2. If the patient is referred for knee replacement surgery, she will be fine.
3. The patient needs to realize that she is experiencing normal challenges.
4. The patient should have an immediate evaluation for antidepressant medications.
Answer: 1
Explanation: In caring for adult patients, it often is useful to think of the cumulative and clustering effects of anxiety. When clustered together, otherwise manageable stressors may result in feeling a loss of control or overwhelming anxiety. Addressing the patient's coping skills may be more useful than suggesting medications. Given that the patient has already reported several new sources of stress, she made need emotional support if referred for knee surgery.
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