A patient has just been told that her illness is terminal. The patient tearfully states, "I can't believe I am going to die. Why me?" What is your best response?
A) "I know how you are feeling."
B) "You have lived a long life."
C) "This must be very difficult for you."
D) "Life can be so unfair."
Ans: C
Feedback:
The most important intervention the nurse can provide is listening empathetically. To communicate effectively, the nurse should ask open-ended questions and acknowledge the patient's fears. Deflecting the statement or providing false sympathy must be avoided.
You might also like to view...
A nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital who is a know drug abuser. Friends have been visiting all morning, and in the evening the patient begins hallucinating and becomes extremely paranoid, appearing to have paranoid schizophrenia
The nurse should suspect which of the fol-lowing conditions? a. Amphetamine withdrawal b. High doses of amphetamines c. Withdrawal from opioids d. High doses of opioids
A nurse in a community setting plans wellness outcomes with a 68-year-old female client who desires to participate in a half-marathon run. Which of the following outcomes should the nurse document?
A) The client will remain free of disease. B) The client will participate in daily aerobic activity class without falls. C) The client will increase activity until able to run 30 minutes. D) The client will participate in the half marathon that is scheduled in 6 months.
The nurse is assisting a client with paraplegia into a special "neuro chair." What are the advantages/disadvantages of using these devices?
A) They help to alleviate pain. B) They adjust to various positions. C) They provide exercise for the client. D) They are difficult to move from place to place.
The nurse is preparing to administer allergy sensitivity testing to a patient. Which statement(s) pertain(s) to this type of administration? (Select all that apply.)
a. Allergy sensitivity testing requires the intradermal route. b. Injections are made into the loose connective tissue. c. Equipment needed includes gloves, antiseptic pledget, metric ruler, and physician's order sheet. d. Record of previous injection sites is needed. e. The needle should be inserted at a 15-degree angle with the needle bevel up.