Many critically ill patients experience anxiety. The nurse can reduce anxiety with which approach?

Question

a. Ask family members to limit their visitation to 2-hour periods in morning, afternoon, and evening. You know that this is the best approach to ensure uninterrupted rest time for the patient. Tell the patient, "Mr. J., your family is in the waiting room. They will be permitted to come in at 2:00 PM after you take a short nap."
b. Explain the unit routine. "Mr. J., assessments are done every 4 hours; patients are bathed on the night shift around 5:00 AM; family members are permitted to visit you after the physicians make their morning rounds. They can spend the day. Lights are out every night at 10:00 PM."
c. State, "Mr. J., it's time to turn you. I am going to ask another nurse to come in and help me. We will turn you to your left side. During the turn, I'm going to inspect the skin on your back and rub some lotion on your back. This should help to make you feel better."
d. Suction Mr. J.'s endotracheal tube immediately when he starts to cough. Tell him, "Mr. J., your tube needs suctioned; you should feel better after I'm done."

Answer 1

C
Anxiety is reduced when procedures are explained prior to completing them. In this example, the nurse clearly explains what will be done and what the patient can expect during turning. Limiting family members, especially if they are already present in the hospital, is not an approach that will reduce anxiety. Family members can be present in the room while allowing the patient to rest. It is important to orient the patient to the unit, but the explanation of a "unit routine" does not give the patient any control over things such as bathing, sleep times, and visitors. Suctioning is important, but only when indicated, which might not be with every coughing episode. Additionally, it is important to explain the procedure and tell the patient what to expect.