A 33-year-old patient has been told that her disease is terminal. The patient is crying and states, "l will just be a dependent drain on my family. I hate being a burden to them." The nurse can best respond:
"l know. would feel terrible if I had been told I was dying."
"Is there any reason to tell your family about this now? You still have some time in which you can enjoy life."
"You have heard some very bad news today. Can you describe what you mean by burden?"
"l doubt that your loving family will view your terminal care as a burden."
The Correct Answer is C
Option C is the best response because it acknowledges the patient's feelings of being a burden on her family and encourages her to express her concerns further. By asking the patient to describe what she means by burden, the nurse demonstrates empathy, active listening, and a willingness to understand the patient's perspective. This approach opens the door for therapeutic communication and allows the nurse to explore the patient's feelings and concerns more deeply.
A. "I know. I would feel terrible if I had been told I was dying." This response does not effectively address the patient's concerns or provide therapeutic communication. It shifts the focus from the patient's feelings to the nurse's hypothetical reaction, which may invalidate the patient's emotions and fail to address her immediate needs.
B. "Is there any reason to tell your family about this now? You still have some time in which you can enjoy life." This response minimizes the patient's emotions and fails to acknowledge her distress about feeling like a burden to her family. It also suggests avoiding communication with her family, which may not be in line with the patient's values or preferences regarding sharing important information.
C. "You have heard some very bad news today. Can you describe what you mean by burden?" This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and invites further discussion about her concerns. By encouraging the patient to describe her feelings of being a burden, the nurse demonstrates empathy and validates the patient's emotions, which can promote therapeutic communication and understanding.
D. "I doubt that your loving family will view your terminal care as a burden." While this response attempts to provide reassurance, it may come across as dismissive of the patient's feelings and concerns. It assumes how the patient's family will react without addressing the patient's immediate emotional needs or exploring her perspective further.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bargaining: Bargaining is a stage in Kübler-Ross's model where the patient may attempt to negotiate with a higher power or medical professionals to change their fate. An increase in daily function is not typically associated with this stage.
B. Acceptance: In Kübler-Ross's model of the stages of grief, acceptance is the final stage. It is characterized by the patient coming to terms with their diagnosis and prognosis. When a terminal patient demonstrates an increase in the level of daily function, it can indicate that they have reached a state of acceptance. This means they have acknowledged their situation and are finding ways to live their life as fully as possible, despite their illness.
C. Depression: Depression is another stage in Kübler-Ross's model where the patient experiences feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. While depression may occur at any point during the grieving process, an increase in daily function suggests movement beyond this stage.
D. Yearning: Yearning, also known as the stage of "pain and guilt" in Kübler-Ross's model, involves feelings of longing for what was lost or what cannot be. It is characterized by emotional distress and a desire to return to a previous state. An increase in daily function is not indicative of this stage.
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
A. Depression: Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. The statement "She's not that sick!" does not directly reflect depressive symptoms.
B. Acceptance: Acceptance is the final stage in Kübler-Ross's stages of dying, characterized by coming to terms with one's impending death or loss. The statement does not indicate acceptance of the situation.
C. Bargaining: Bargaining involves attempts to negotiate or make deals to change the outcome of a situation, often in exchange for a better outcome. The statement does not suggest bargaining behavior.
D. Anger: Anger involves feelings of frustration, resentment, or hostility towards the situation or others. While the statement could potentially lead to anger in others, it does not directly express anger itself. E. Denial: Denial is the initial stage where individuals refuse to accept the reality of their situation or the severity of their illness. The statement "She's not that sick!" directly reflects denial, as it indicates a refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.