A 20-year-old patient who sustained a T2 spinal cord injury 10 days ago angrily tells the nurse "I want to be transferred to a hospital where the nurses know what they are doing!" Which action by the nurse is best?
a. Clarify that abusive language will not be tolerated.
b. Request that the patient provide input for the plan of care.
c. Perform care without responding to the patient's comments.
d. Reassure the patient about the competence of the nursing staff.
ANS: B
The patient is demonstrating behaviors consistent with the anger phase of the grief process, and the nurse should allow expression of anger and seek the patient's input into care. Expression of anger is appropriate at this stage, and should be accepted by the nurse. Reassurance about the competency of the staff will not be helpful in responding to the patient's anger. Ignoring the patient's comments will increase the patient's anger and sense of helplessness.
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