A nurse is caring for a patient who is tearful while refusing care and medications. Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Choice A rationale
This response is not appropriate as it does not address the patient’s emotional state and may come across as dismissive or coercive. It is important to approach a tearful and refusing patient with empathy and understanding, acknowledging their feelings and concerns.
Choice B rationale
This response is the most appropriate as it acknowledges the patient’s emotional state and opens up a dialogue for the patient to express their worries or concerns. By asking the patient what is worrying them, the nurse shows empathy and provides an opportunity for the patient to voice their fears or concerns, which can be the first step towards resolving the issue.
Choice C rationale
This response is not appropriate as it does not address the patient’s emotional state and may come across as dismissive or coercive. It is important to approach a tearful and refusing patient with empathy and understanding, acknowledging their feelings and concerns.
Choice D rationale
This response is not appropriate as it may come across as dismissive or insensitive. It is important to approach a tearful and refusing patient with empathy and understanding, acknowledging their feelings and concerns.

Choice A rationale
Reporting the absence of spontaneous respirations is important, but it is not the priority action. The patient is on mechanical ventilation, so the absence of spontaneous respirations is expected.
Choice B rationale
Encouraging the patient to attempt to breathe on their own is not the priority action. The patient is receiving mechanical ventilation, which means they are likely unable to breathe adequately on their own.
Choice C rationale
Providing passive range-of-motion exercises is important for overall patient mobility and prevention of complications such as deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the priority action in this case.
Choice D rationale
Responding to ventilator alarms is the priority action. Alarms may indicate a change in the patient’s condition or a problem with the ventilator. Immediate response is necessary to ensure the patient’s safety.