A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for open heart surgery. The client states, "I am confident I will be able to go home a few hours after the surgery." The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing which of the following stages of grief?
Anger
Depression
Denial
Acceptance
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer and explanation is:
c. Denial
The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing the stage of denial in the grief process. Denial is a common psychological defense mechanism that individuals may exhibit when faced with a stressful or overwhelming situation, such as the prospect of open heart surgery. It involves a refusal to accept or acknowledge the reality of the situation. In this case, the client's statement of being confident to go home shortly after surgery demonstrates a denial of the potential challenges and recovery process associated with such a procedure.
Explanation for the other options:
A . Anger: Anger is a stage of grief characterized by feelings of resentment, frustration, and hostility. It is common for individuals to experience anger as part of the grief process, but the client's statement does not indicate anger.
B. Depression: Depression is another stage of grief marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss. While it is normal for individuals to experience some level of anxiety or sadness before undergoing surgery, the client's statement does not specifically reflect depression.
d. Acceptance: Acceptance is the final stage of grief, where individuals come to terms with their situation and find a sense of peace or resolution. The client's statement indicates a lack of acceptance as they are denying the potential impact of the surgery and its recovery process.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should report the possible abuse to adult protective services if an older adult client states that their child took all their money. This is an important nursing intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of the client.
a) Instructing the client to report the theft to the police may be appropriate, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse has a legal and ethical obligation to report suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities.
c) Asking the client if there is another family member they can call for financial help may be appropriate, but it does not address the issue of possible abuse.
d) Restricting visitation for the client's family until discharge is not appropriate and may violate the client's rights.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should include maintaining elbow restraints on the infant in the plan of care following cleft palate repair. This helps to prevent the infant from touching their surgical site and disrupting the healing process.
a) Allowing the infant to have soft foods may be appropriate, but it is not the highest priority. The infant's diet should be determined by the provider and based on the infant's individual needs.
c) Instructing the parents to feed the infant with a spoon may be appropriate, but it is not the highest priority. The infant's feeding method should be determined by the provider and based on the infant's individual needs.
d) Telling the parents to avoid brushing the infant's teeth for two weeks may be appropriate, but it is not the highest priority. The infant's oral care should be determined by the provider and based on the infant's individual needs.
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