The nursing student is assigned to care for a patient who has just been diagnosed with advanced stage cancer. The patient is very upset and crying. The nursing student states to her instructor, "I don't know what to do
My patient just can't stop crying." What is the best response from the instructor?
a. "Sometimes just sitting with patient and remaining silent can be the best care."
b. "You will need to wait patiently until your patient stops crying to complete your care."
c. "You will not be effective while he is crying. Tell the patient you will come back later."
d. "Try to distract the patient from crying by trying to change the conversation."
A
One of the most effective and useful tools in enhancing therapeutic communication is the use of silence. Using silence demonstrates acceptance and allows the patient to compose his thoughts and perhaps provide other information. It is especially effective when the patient is emotionally upset. Waiting for the patient to stop crying to complete care is a missed opportunity for the nurse to support the patient's emotional needs and show caring during a difficult time. Additionally, the patient would be denied the opportunity to express his feelings, fears, and other emotions. Distracting patients or changing the topic of the conversation is actually a barrier to communication. This may make the patient feel that his feelings are not accepted or warranted, or that the nurse is uninterested.
You might also like to view...
A client is scheduled for positive emission tomography (PET) of the brain. The nurse should teach the client to:
1. withhold food and fluids for 4 hours prior to the test. 2. lie perfectly still during the procedure. 3. drink an iodine preparation 2 hours prior to the test. 4. eat a high-protein diet after the test.
Genetic testing reveals that a client has a heterozygous mutation in a gene related to cancer development. The client is 60 years old and has not developed cancer. How should the nurse interpret this situation?
1. The client will likely develop cancer if he or she lives long enough. 2. The mutation was not strong enough to increase cancer risk. 3. A second, random mutation has not occurred. 4. The client will likely remain cancer free.
A patient who has been taking 30 mg of prednisone daily for the last 10 days reports crying more often and then suddenly getting angry at small issues. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Document the patient's response as the only action. b. Hold the next dose and notify the prescriber immediately. c. Reassure the patient that this is an expected drug response. d. Suggest that the patient see a counselor or attend an anger management class.
A child with a known history of Benign Rolandic Epilepsy is having a seizure during lunch at the middle school. The school nurse is called to the cafeteria. What is the school nurse's priority at this time?
1. Prevent a possible choking incident by checking the student's mouth for food. 2. Lay the child down on the floor and make sure the area is safe. 3. Call the EMTs for help. 4. Notify the parents that their daughter is having a seizure.