A nurse is caring for a client following a bilateral mastectomy. The client is often tearful and avoids looking at her dressings. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Refer the client to a breast cancer support group.
Identify the impact of the mastectomy on the client's body image.
Encourage the client to assist with her dressing changes.
Provide the client with a mirror to look at her mastectomy incisions.
The Correct Answer is B
The nurse should first identify the impact of the mastectomy on the client’s body image.
This is because the client’s behavior of avoiding looking at her dressings and being tearful suggests that she may be struggling with changes to her body image after the surgery.
By identifying and addressing this issue, the nurse can provide appropriate emotional support and interventions to help the client cope with these changes.
Choice A is not the first action the nurse should take because referring the client to a breast cancer support group may be helpful, but it is not addressing the immediate concern of the client’s emotional state.
Choice C is not the first action because encouraging the client to assist with her dressing changes may be premature if she is still struggling emotionally with her body image.
Choice D is not the first action because providing the client with a mirror to look at her mastectomy incisions may be overwhelming for her if she is not yet ready to confront her changed appearance.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
According to self-efficacy theory, learning develops from multiple sources, including perceptions of one’s past performance, vicarious experiences, performance feedback, affective/physiological states, and social influences.
Choice B is wrong because simply explaining the need for education to the client may not necessarily increase their motivation to learn.
Choice C is wrong because seeking family approval by agreeing to a teaching plan may not necessarily increase the client’s motivation to learn.
Choice D is wrong because the nurse’s empathy about the client having to self-inject may not necessarily increase their motivation to learn.
Correct Answer is ["C"]
Explanation
Leaving the drain until the end of the shift is not appropriate because it could lead to complications such as:
- Hematoma formation:Blood accumulation in the tissues surrounding the drain can put pressure on surrounding structures,potentially impairing blood flow and causing tissue damage.
- Infection:A reservoir containing blood provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth,increasing the risk of infection.
- Drain occlusion:Clotted blood can block the drain,preventing effective drainage and leading to fluid buildup and potential infection.
- Decreased wound healing:Excessive blood loss can delay wound healing by depriving the tissues of necessary oxygen and nutrients.
Removing the drain without the surgeon's order is not appropriate because:
- Premature removal:It could disrupt the healing process and lead to complications such as fluid collection or infection.
- Assessment limitation:Removing the drain would eliminate the ability to monitor ongoing blood loss and could mask potential complications.
A Jackson-Pratt drain works by creating suction when the bulb is squeezed and emptied¹. The bulb should be emptied before it is more than half full to avoid the discomfort of the weight of the drain pulling on the internal tubing and to maintain the suction
Notifying the surgeon about the blood loss is wrong because it is not an urgent situation unless there are signs of excessive bleeding, such as bright red blood, clots, or a sudden increase in the amount of drainage²³. The surgeon should be notified if the drainage is more than 100 ml in 24 hours or if the color changes from serosanguineous (pink) to sanguineous (red)
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