A 79-year-old patient reports a pain level of 3 out of 10 and states, “Don’t worry, this is just part of getting old.” What is the best response?

Choice A rationale:

Elevating the head of the bed can promote comfort and ease breathing, but it's not the first priority in this situation. The nurse needs to assess the client's gastrointestinal status before offering any fluids or food.

While elevating the head of the bed may be helpful in some postoperative situations, it doesn't directly address the client's request for something to drink or the need to assess for potential contraindications to oral intake.

It's important to prioritize assessment before intervention to ensure safe and effective care.

Choice B rationale:

Offering apple juice, a clear liquid, might seem appropriate given the postoperative orders, but it's premature without first assessing the client's abdomen.

Auscultation can reveal important information about bowel sounds, which can indicate whether the client's gastrointestinal system is ready to tolerate fluids or food.

Prematurely offering fluids could lead to complications like nausea, vomiting, or aspiration if the client's bowels are not functioning properly.

Choice D rationale:

Ordering a lunch tray is not appropriate at this stage. The nurse needs to first assess the client's tolerance for clear liquids before advancing the diet.

Advancing the diet too quickly could also lead to gastrointestinal complications.

It's important to follow the postoperative orders and progress the diet gradually as tolerated.

Choice C rationale:

Auscultating the client's abdomen is the essential first step in this scenario. It allows the nurse to gather crucial data about the client's gastrointestinal status.

By listening to bowel sounds, the nurse can determine if the client's intestines are active and functioning properly. If bowel sounds are present and normal, it suggests that the client is likely able to tolerate clear liquids.

If bowel sounds are absent or abnormal, it may indicate a potential problem, such as ileus (a temporary paralysis of the intestines), and the nurse would need to hold oral intake and notify the healthcare provider.

This assessment provides essential information to guide the nurse's subsequent actions and ensure the client's safety.

Choice A rationale:

While explaining the importance and rationale of the new policy can be helpful, it may not address the underlying reasons for the nurse's resistance.

If the nurse does not understand or agree with the rationale, they may still be resistant to change.

Additionally, simply providing information may not create an open and trusting environment where the nurse feels comfortable expressing their concerns.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging the nurse to verbalize their concerns allows the nurse manager to understand the specific reasons for the resistance.

This can help to identify any misconceptions or concerns that can be addressed directly.

It also gives the nurse an opportunity to feel heard and understood, which can help to build trust and rapport. When nurses feel that their concerns are being taken seriously, they are more likely to be open to change.

Choice C rationale:

Threatening disciplinary action is likely to create resentment and further resistance. It may also damage the relationship between the nurse manager and the nurse.

This approach should only be used as a last resort, after other attempts to address the resistance have failed.

Choice D rationale:

Ignoring the resistance is not an effective strategy.

It is likely to lead to continued noncompliance with the new policy,

It may also send the message that the nurse manager does not care about the nurse's concerns.

Peer pressure can sometimes be helpful in facilitating change, but it should not be relied upon as the sole strategy.