The nurse has just admitted a 66-year-old patient for cardiac surgery. The patient tells the nurse she is afraid of dying while undergoing the surgery. What is the nurse aware of?
A) A further assessment of anxiety is required.
B) A more complete physical examination is required.
C) Preoperative fears are normal and if ignored will be alleviated independently.
D) Teaching should be initiated immediately to alleviate the fears.
Ans: A
Feedback: An assessment of anxiety levels is required in the patient to assist the patient in identifying fears and developing coping mechanisms for those fears. If anxiety is high, it may interfere with teaching and surgical outcome is poor. Nothing in the scenario suggests that a more complete physical examination is required, or that teaching should be initiated immediately to alleviate fears. Preoperative fears are normal but they should not be ignored.
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