An older patient appears to have few friends and little family. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Encourage the patient to stay in contact with remaining family members.
b. Help the patient find new social outlets and support systems.
c. Assess the patient for depression or sub-stance abuse.
d. Ask the patient why there are so few friends and family.
B
Social networks are invaluable to help mitigate the effects of major life events on health. The nurse can encourage the patient to join groups or organizations in order to make new friends. Staying in touch with family may or may not be desired. The patient may need assessment for substance abuse, but this is not the best action. Asking "why" questions often puts people on the defensive, and this technique is not considered a therapeutic communication tool.
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