A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for cataract surgery. The client states, "I see Just fine and have decided to cancel my surgery." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. Remove a piece of the new dressing that falls 5 cm (2 in) from the edge of the sterile field during the dressing change. Incorrect, as the item is contaminated and should not be used.

B. Begin the dressing change by applying sterile gloves and removing the existing dressing. The old dressing should be removed with clean gloves before donning sterile gloves.

C. Restart the procedure if the sterile solution splashes onto the sterile field when pouring the solution into the dressing tray. Any contamination of the sterile field requires a complete restart to maintain sterility.

D. Place the existing dressing on the outermost portion of the sterile field and discard it when the dressing change is finished. Contaminates the sterile field; old dressings should be disposed of immediately.

A. Ask the client to describe their feelings. Encouraging the client to express their emotions allows the nurse to assess their concerns and provide appropriate support. This is a key principle of therapeutic communication.

B. Discuss the competency of the surgeon with the client. While the surgeon's competency may help reassure the client, the nurse should not comment on the surgeon’s skill. Instead, the nurse should focus on the client's emotions and provide factual information about the procedure if needed.

C. Inform the client that others have had the procedure without problems. This response dismisses the client’s concerns rather than addressing their feelings. Each client’s experience is unique, and reassurance should be based on listening and providing accurate information.

D. Ask the client why they are experiencing anxiety. Asking “why” can make the client feel defensive. Instead, the nurse should use open-ended questions, such as "Can you tell me more about your concerns?", which encourages discussion without judgment.