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 D
Explanation
This is the correct answer because BUN and creatinine are the most important laboratory values to monitor for nephrotoxicity, which is the damage or injury to the kidneys caused by certain drugs or chemicals.
Nephrotoxicity can impair the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood, resulting in elevated levels of BUN and creatinine. The normal range for BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL, and for creatinine is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL. The practical nurse (PN) should review these values before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, vancomycin, or sulfonamides. The PN should also monitor the client for signs and symptoms of nephrotoxicity, such as decreased urine output, edema, hypertension, fatigue, nausea, and confusion.
a) Serum calcium
This is not the correct answer because serum calcium is not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Serum calcium is the amount of calcium in the blood, which is important for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. The normal range for serum calcium is 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL. Serum calcium may be affected by kidney disease, but it is not a reliable indicator of nephrotoxicity.
b) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
This is not the correct answer because hemoglobin and hematocrit are not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. The normal range for hemoglobin is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men and 12 to 15.5 g/dL for women, and for hematocrit is 38.8 to 50% for men and 34.9 to 44.5% for women.
Hemoglobin and hematocrit may be affected by kidney disease, but they are not reliable indicators of
nephrotoxicity.
c) White blood cell count (WBC)
This is not the correct answer because WBC is not directly related to nephrotoxicity. WBC is the number of white blood cells in the blood, which are part of the immune system and fight infections. The normal range for WBC is 4,500 to 10,000 cells per microliter of blood. WBC may be elevated in response to an infection or inflammation, but it is not a reliable indicator of nephrotoxicity.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Observing for extrapyramidal symptoms, such as dystonia, is the most important intervention immediately after seclusion because haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication known to have the potential for causing extrapyramidal side effects. Identifying and managing these side effects promptly is crucial to ensure the client's safety.
Choice A rationale:
Releasing the client as soon as composure is regained may not be safe if the client is still at risk of harming themselves or others. Monitoring for the resolution of symptoms and stabilization is important before releasing the client.
Choice C rationale:
Securing the room with padded walls and minimal furnishings is not the immediate priority. While seclusion rooms should be safe and comfortable, observing for potential side effects takes precedence.
Choice D rationale:
Providing one-on-one observation at all times is a resource-intensive intervention and may not be necessary for all clients. Observing for extrapyramidal symptoms is more targeted and appropriate in this scenario.
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