A patient with lung cancer confides in the nurse, expressing fear about the disease and guilt for smoking in the past. Which response from the nurse would be most appropriate?
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s uncertain if your smoking led to the cancer.”.
“It’s normal to feel scared. What aspects of cancer frighten you the most?”
“Do you feel guilty because you used to smoke?”
“Fear is a normal reaction. We are here to support you through this.”. .
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While it’s important to reassure the patient, saying “It’s uncertain if your smoking led to the cancer” might be misleading. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, but it’s also true that not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer, and not everyone who gets lung cancer has smoked.
Choice B rationale
This response validates the patient’s feelings and opens up a dialogue about their specific fears. It allows the nurse to provide targeted education and reassurance.
Choice C rationale
Asking “Do you feel guilty because you used to smoke?” might make the patient feel more guilty or judged. It’s better to provide support and understanding.
Choice D rationale
While it’s true that fear is a normal reaction and that the healthcare team is there to support the patient, this response doesn’t address the patient’s specific concerns or feelings of guilt.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Implementing ventilator-weaning protocols is a crucial intervention in the care plan for a patient on a ventilator to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. These protocols aim to minimize the patient’s exposure to mechanical ventilation, which is a significant risk factor for developing ventilator-associated pneumonia. By systematically reducing the level of ventilatory support, these protocols facilitate the earliest possible liberation from mechanical ventilation, thereby reducing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Choice B rationale
Providing frequent oral care is another essential intervention in preventing ventilator- associated pneumonia. Oral health can quickly deteriorate in mechanically ventilated patients, leading to an increased risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Regular oral care, including the use of antiseptics, can help reduce the number of potential respiratory pathogens in the oral cavity and prevent their aspiration into the lower respiratory tract.
Choice C rationale
Suctioning the patient every hour is not typically recommended as a standard intervention to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. Over-suctioning can lead to trauma and inflammation in the airway, potentially increasing the risk of infection. Suctioning should be performed based on the patient’s needs and clinical signs, rather than on a fixed schedule.
Choice D rationale
Positioning the patient in a semi-upright position (30 to 45 degrees), rather than a prone position, is recommended to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. This position helps to reduce the risk of aspiration, which is a major risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Choice E rationale
Avoiding suctioning the patient is not a recommended strategy for preventing ventilator- associated pneumonia. Suctioning is necessary to clear secretions from the airway, and its omission could potentially increase the risk of infection. However, as mentioned earlier, suctioning should be performed based on the patient’s needs and clinical signs, rather than on a fixed schedule.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Muffled heart sounds are not a typical sign of pneumothorax. They are more commonly associated with conditions such as pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade.
Choice B rationale
Sudden hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is not a typical sign of pneumothorax. It is more commonly associated with conditions such as pulmonary embolism or lung cancer.
Choice C rationale
Absent breath sounds on the affected side is a typical sign of pneumothorax. When air enters the pleural space and causes the lung to collapse, breath sounds may be absent or significantly decreased on the affected side.
Choice D rationale
A declining respiratory rate is not a typical sign of pneumothorax. In fact, a rapid respiratory rate (tachypnea) is more commonly observed in pneumothorax due to the body’s attempt to compensate for the decreased lung capacity.
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