A patient has the nursing diagnosis Disturbed Body Image related to surgical excision of a benign breast mass. Which patient statement would the nurse evaluate as indicating that the goal of acceptance of body image has been achieved?

Question

1. "The scar is not as red as I thought it would be.".
2. "I hope I can still wear a bikini top.".
3. "I haven't shown the scar to my husband yet.".
4. "I think my shirts fit differently since my surgery.".

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: Discussing the color of the scar is a small step toward acceptance of its presence. This indicates movement toward achievement of the goal.
Rationale 2: This statement reflects grieving for the past body rather than accepting the body change.
Rationale 3: Reluctance to show the scar to the husband may indicate that the patient has not yet accepted the change to her body.
Rationale 4: It would be unlikely that excisional biopsy would make enough of a difference in breast contours to affect the fit of the woman's shirts. This statement may indicate that the patient is looking for changes in her body. It does not indicate acceptance.