The practical nurse (PN) is assisting the recreational director of a long-term care facility in planning outdoor activities for wheelchair-bound older residents who are mentally alert. Which activity should the PN suggest that meets the physical and social needs of these residents?

- A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of all or part of the breast, usually to treat breast cancer. A mastectomy can have a significant impact on a woman's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, as it may affect her body image, self-esteem, sexuality, and identity.
- A mastectomy incision is the wound that results from the surgery, which may vary in size, shape, and location depending on the type and extent of the mastectomy. The incision may be closed with stitches, staples, or glue, and covered with a dressing or bandage.

- The first dressing change is usually done within 24 to 48 hours after the surgery, and it involves removing the old dressing, inspecting the incision for any signs of infection or complications, cleaning the wound, applying a new dressing, and educating the client about wound care .
- When 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, this may indicate that the client is experiencing denial, fear, anger, grief, or depression due to the loss of her breast. These are normal and common reactions that may occur at different stages of the recovery process.
- The best response by the PN to the client's silence is to acknowledge and respect the client's feelings, provide support and reassurance, and offer assistance when needed. This will help to establish trust and rapport with the client, as well as promote her coping and adjustment.
- Therefore, option A is the best answer, as it shows empathy and respect for the client's feelings, while also informing the client that the PN will be available when she is ready to look or talk about the mastectomy. Option A also implies that the PN will not pressure or force the client to do something that she is not comfortable with.

- Options B, C, and D are incorrect answers, as they do not show empathy or respect for the client's feelings, and they may cause more harm than good.

Smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco or snuff, still contains harmful substances, including nicotine and various chemicals. It is associated with several health risks, including an increased risk of oral, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers, as well as gum disease, tooth loss, and nicotine addiction.
Incorrect:

A. By providing this information, the nurse can help the client make an informed decision about their smoking cessation plan. It is crucial to emphasize that quitting tobacco altogether is the best approach to reduce the risk of cancer and improve overall health.
C. The nurse should not encourage the client to continue with the plan to switch to smokeless tobacco as a means of reducing the risk for cancer. Instead, the focus should be on supporting the client's efforts to quit tobacco entirely and providing appropriate resources and interventions to facilitate smoking cessation.
D. Addressing the concern about weight gain when quitting smoking is also important, but it should be done in the context of promoting healthy lifestyle changes and offering strategies to manage weight during the smoking cessation process.