At the first dressing change, the practical nurse (PN) tells the client that her mastectomy incision is healing well, but the client refuses to look at the incision and refuses to talk about it.
Which response by the PN to the client's silence is best?
"It's okay if you don't want to look or talk about the mastectomy. It will be available when you're ready."
"Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show you the wound?"
"Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will need to look at your incision."
"You will feel beter when you see that the incision is not as bad as you may think."
The Correct Answer is A
When a client refuses to look at their mastectomy incision and refuses to talk about it, the best response by the practical nurse (PN) is to respect the client's autonomy and validate their feelings. Option a) acknowledges the client's discomfort and provides reassurance that it is okay for them to decline looking or talking about the incision at the moment. It also offers support by letting the client know that the incision will be available for examination when they feel ready to do so.
Let's evaluate the other options:
b) "Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show you the wound?"
This response assumes that the client needs someone else present to address their refusal to look at the incision. While having another nurse present may be helpful for some clients, it is not the appropriate first response. Respecting the client's autonomy and providing support should be the initial approach.
c) "Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will need to look at your incision."
This response may come across as directive and insensitive. It implies that the client must look at their incision as part of their recovery process, disregarding their feelings and personal choices. It is important to respect the client's autonomy and allow them to navigate their own healing journey at their own pace.
d) "You will feel beter when you see that the incision is not as bad as you may think."
This response invalidates the client's feelings and assumes that their concerns about the incision are unfounded. It is essential to respect the client's emotions and validate their experience rather than dismissing or minimizing their concerns.
In summary, when a client refuses to look at their mastectomy incision and refuses to talk about it, the best response by the practical nurse (PN) is to acknowledge the client's discomfort, respect their autonomy, and provide reassurance that it is okay for them to decline looking or talking about the incision at that moment. The client's readiness to address the incision should be honored, and support should be offered when they are ready.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
- A radial pulse is the pulse felt at the wrist, where the radial artery runs along the thumb side of the forearm. It is one of the most common sites for measuring a person's heart rate.
- To measure a radial pulse, the examiner should place two or three fingers over the radial artery, just below the wrist crease, and apply gentle pressure until a pulsation is felt. The examiner should not use the thumb, as it has its own pulse and may interfere with the accuracy of the measurement. The examiner should count the number of beats for 15, 30, or 60 seconds, depending on the regularity and rate of the pulse.
- In the picture, the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the thumb to measure the radial pulse, which is incorrect. The practical nurse (PN) should demonstrate the correct pulse site to the UAP and explain why using the thumb is not appropriate. This will help to ensure that the UAP obtains an accurate and reliable pulse rate for the client.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer, while options A, B, and D are incorrect.
Option A is incorrect because instructing the UAP to report any abnormal findings does not address the error in technique.
Option B is incorrect because reminding the UAP to check the pulse volume does not address the error in technique.
Option D is incorrect because confirming the accuracy of the pulse rate obtained by the UAP does not address the error in technique.

Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d. hypovolemic.
Choice A reason: This is not a good choice. Septic shock is a type of distributive shock that occurs when an infection causes a systemic inflammatory response that leads to vasodilation, hypotension, and organ dysfunction. Septic shock is not the most common type of shock in children, although it can be a serious and life-threatening condition.
Choice B reason: This is not a good choice. Anaphylactic shock is a type of distributive shock that occurs when an allergic reaction causes a severe and rapid hypersensitivity response that leads to bronchoconstriction, angioedema, and hypotension. Anaphylactic shock is not the most common type of shock in children, although it can be a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Choice C reason: This is not a good choice. Distributive shock is a broad category of shock that occurs when there is a loss of vascular tone and blood volume distribution that leads to hypoperfusion and tissue hypoxia. Distributive shock can be caused by various factors, such as sepsis, anaphylaxis, neurogenic injury, or adrenal insufficiency. Distributive shock is not the most common type of shock in children, although it can be a complex and challenging condition to manage.
Choice D reason: This is the correct choice. Hypovolemic shock is the most common type of shock in children. Hypovolemic shock occurs when there is a loss of blood or fluid volume that leads to decreased preload, cardiac output, and blood pressure. Hypovolemic shock can be caused by various factors, such as hemorrhage, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, or burns. Hypovolemic shock can be a life-threatening condition that requires prompt fluid resuscitation and correction of the underlying cause.
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