A male patient in stable condition is in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is asking to see his spouse and two daughters. What should the nurse do?
a. Allow only 5 to 10 minutes with the family.
b. Allow the wife and daughters to visit at the patient's request.
c. Allow the two daughters to visit, and let the wife visit when they leave.
d. Allow the wife and one daughter to enter the ICU but not the other daughter.
ANS: B
Use of support systems is important in any health care setting. Allowing the family to visit is appropriate since the patient is in stable condition. When patients depend on family and friends for support, encourage them to visit the patient. As long as no interference with active patient care is involved, there is no reason to limit visitation. Limiting the visit is not necessary since the patient is stable. Breaking the family apart is not needed; the patient is stable and can see all three at once.
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