A resident in a nursing home insists that a priest hear his confession. The resident is very anxious, and the nursing home does not have a Roman Catholic chaplain. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

Question

a. An Episcopal priest is coming to visit the home this evening. Arrange an ap-pointment with her for the resident.
b. Report the resident's change in behavior in detail so that the attending physician can prescribe medication appropriately.
c. Refer the resident to the staff psychologist to address the underlying cause of the patient's anxiety.
d. Look in the local telephone book for a Roman Catholic church, and ask the pastor to visit the resident.

Answer 1

D

Feedback
A Incorrect. The two belief systems are not the same, and the resident is unlikely to experience the minister's efforts as satisfactory.
B Incorrect. The resident's wish can be understood entirely within the resident's belief system and need not reflect a medical problem, particularly if a visit by a priest relieves the resident's anxiety.
C Incorrect. This approach is an attempt to change the resident's belief system.
D Correct. The nurse should respect the resident's beliefs and practices and ac-commodate them when they are not harmful. Receiving the sacrament can po-tentially relieve much of the patient's anxiety.