The patient being evaluated for a heart transplant asks the nurse what the survival rate is. Which response is best for the nurse to make?
a. "I'm not really sure. It is better if you ask your surgeon."
b. "Every patient has different circums-tances, but the average 5-year survival rate is 79%."
c. "The survival rate is excellent. Almost all patients with a heart transplant live past 10 years."
d. "There are not any really good statistics for me to give you an accurate estimate."
B
Identifying that individual cases vary while giving accurate statistics is the most helpful response. Stating "I'm not really sure" does not instill confidence in the nurse's ability or knowledge. Although a significant number of patients live past 10 years following heart transplant, responding that almost all patients live past 10 years is inaccurate and instills false hope.
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What is the dose of bleomycin that is recommended for malignant pleural effusion?
What will be an ideal response?
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