A 22-year-old male is being discharged home after surgery for testicular cancer. The patient is scheduled to begin chemotherapy in 2 weeks
The patient tells the nurse that he doesn't think he can take weeks or months of chemotherapy, stating that he has researched the adverse effects online. What is the most appropriate nursing action for this patient at this time?
A) Provide empathy and encouragement in an effort to foster a positive outlook.
B) Tell the patient it is his decision whether to accept or reject chemotherapy.
C) Report the patient's statement to members of his support system.
D) Refer the patient to social work.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Patients may be required to endure a long course of therapy and will need encouragement to maintain a positive attitude. It is certainly the patient's ultimate decision to accept or reject chemotherapy, but the nurse should focus on promoting a positive outlook. It would be a violation of confidentiality to report the patient's statement to members of his support system and there is no obvious need for a social work referral.
You might also like to view...
In determining which patient is to be transferred from the CCU to make room for a new admission, the nurse considers the relative benefit of continued CCU care related to eventual outcomes for each patient and compares them
The nurse does not consider factors such as ethnicity or socioeconomic status. This situation is an example of application of which ethical principle? A) Paternalism B) Veracity C) Beneficence D) Justice
The nurse administers desmopressin to treat a patient with diabetes insipidus. Assessment of what laboratory studies would indicate the drug is working?
A) Increased serum sodium levels B) Increased red blood cell count C) Decreased urine specific gravity D) Reduced urine glucose levels
The nurse auscultates the fetal heart rate (FHR) and determines a rate of 152 . Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
a. Inform the mother that the rate is normal. b. Reassess the FHR in 5 minutes because the rate is too high. c. Report the FHR to the physician or nurse-midwife immediately. d. Tell the mother that she is going to have a boy because the heart rate is fast.
A nurse notes that multiple clients are scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) over the next month. For which conditions is ECT indicated? Select all that apply
A) Major depression B) Mania C) Schizoaffective disorder D) Obsessive–compulsive disorder E) Antisocial personality disorder