The nurse is providing emotional support to the spouse of a patient recently diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer. The spouse expresses anger and confusion and questions why the patient did not seek help sooner. Which
response by the nurse would be the most appropriate at this time?
1. "Unfortunately, the early symptoms are often vague and often not recognized as something serious."
2. "Your spouse was probably afraid of getting bad news."
3. "You will never know."
4. "It is not important to know that right now."
Correct Answer: 1
The manifestations of esophageal cancer are often vague. Difficulty swallowing does not manifest until approximately 60% of the esophagus is affected. By this time, the condition is often terminal. It is inappropriate for the nurse to make assumptions about the motivations and feelings of an individual with cancer or to decide what is important for the patient's spouse to know at this time. It is presumptuous for the nurse to suggest the patient's spouse will "never know."
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