At the first dressing change, the practical nurse (PN) tells the client that her mastectomy incision is healing well, but the client refuses to look at the incision and refuses to talk about it.
Which response by the PN to the client's silence is best?
"It's okay if you don't want to look or talk about the mastectomy. It will be available when you're ready."
"Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show you the wound?"
"Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will need to look at your incision."
"You will feel beter when you see that the incision is not as bad as you may think."
The Correct Answer is A
When a client refuses to look at their mastectomy incision and refuses to talk about it, the best response by the practical nurse (PN) is to respect the client's autonomy and validate their feelings. Option a) acknowledges the client's discomfort and provides reassurance that it is okay for them to decline looking or talking about the incision at the moment. It also offers support by letting the client know that the incision will be available for examination when they feel ready to do so.
Let's evaluate the other options:
b) "Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show you the wound?"
This response assumes that the client needs someone else present to address their refusal to look at the incision. While having another nurse present may be helpful for some clients, it is not the appropriate first response. Respecting the client's autonomy and providing support should be the initial approach.
c) "Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will need to look at your incision."
This response may come across as directive and insensitive. It implies that the client must look at their incision as part of their recovery process, disregarding their feelings and personal choices. It is important to respect the client's autonomy and allow them to navigate their own healing journey at their own pace.
d) "You will feel beter when you see that the incision is not as bad as you may think."
This response invalidates the client's feelings and assumes that their concerns about the incision are unfounded. It is essential to respect the client's emotions and validate their experience rather than dismissing or minimizing their concerns.
In summary, when a client refuses to look at their mastectomy incision and refuses to talk about it, the best response by the practical nurse (PN) is to acknowledge the client's discomfort, respect their autonomy, and provide reassurance that it is okay for them to decline looking or talking about the incision at that moment. The client's readiness to address the incision should be honored, and support should be offered when they are ready.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Increasing the supplemental oxygen to 15 L/min via nasal cannula may seem like a logical step given the client’s low oxygen saturation. However, it’s important to note that oxygen therapy should be titrated carefully. Too much oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause cellular damage and worsen the client’s condition. Therefore, this is not the priority action.
Choice B rationale:
Notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the priority action. The client’s oxygen saturation is 88% on room air, which is below the normal range of 95% to 100%. This indicates that the client is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to hypoxia and other serious complications. The health care provider needs to be informed immediately so that appropriate interventions can be initiated.
Choice C rationale:
Administering ibuprofen as ordered for fever is important, but it’s not the priority in this situation. While fever can indicate an infection, which could be contributing to the client’s low oxygen saturation, addressing the immediate issue of hypoxia is more critical.
Choice D rationale:
Obtaining a sputum culture from the client could provide valuable information about the type of bacteria causing the pneumonia and guide antibiotic therapy. However, this is not an immediate priority compared to addressing the client’s low oxygen saturation. In summary, while all these actions are important in caring for a client with pneumonia, the nurse must prioritize interventions based on their urgency and potential impact on the client’s health status. In this case, notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the most critical action.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Prescribing medication for immediate relief is not the primary goal when establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client with anxiety disorder. While medication may be a part of the treatment plan, the primary focus should be on building trust and addressing the client's emotional needs.
Choice B rationale:
Educating the client about various relaxation techniques can be beneficial, but it is not the primary goal of establishing a therapeutic relationship. The primary goal is to create a trusting and supportive environment in which the client feels comfortable discussing their feelings and concerns.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the client in challenging irrational thoughts is an important aspect of cognitive-behavioral therapy, but it is not the primary goal of establishing the therapeutic relationship. Building rapport and trust come first.
Choice D rationale:
Developing measurable and realistic outcomes is the primary goal when establishing a therapeutic relationship. These outcomes provide a framework for assessing progress and ensuring that the therapeutic interventions are effective in addressing the client's anxiety disorder.
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