Author Question: A 16-year-old boy has just been admitted to the unit for overnight observation after being in an ... (Read 109 times)

sc00by25 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A 16-year-old boy has just been admitted to the unit for overnight observation after being in an automobile accident. What is the nurse's best approach to communicating with him?

a. Use periods of silence to communicate respect for him.
b. Be totally honest with him, even if the information is unpleasant.
c. Tell him that everything that is discussed will be kept totally confidential.
d. Use slang language when possible to help him open up.

Question 2

During a prenatal check, a patient begins to cry as the nurse asks her about previous pregnancies. She states that she is remembering her last pregnancy, which ended in miscarriage. The nurse's best response to her crying would be:

a. I'm so sorry for making you cry
b. I can see that you are sad remembering this. It is all right to cry.
c. Why don't I step out for a few minutes until you're feeling better?
d. I can see that you feel sad about this; why don't we talk about something else?

wergv · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Successful communication with an adolescent is possible and can be rewarding. The guidelines are simple. The first consideration is one's attitude, which must be one of respect. Second, communication must be totally honest. An adolescent's intuition is highly tuned and can detect phoniness or the withholding of information. Always tell him or her the truth.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
A beginning examiner usually feels horrified when the patient starts crying. When the nurse says something that makes the person cry, the nurse should not think he or she has hurt the person. The nurse has simply hit on an important topic; therefore, moving on to a new topic is essential. The nurse should allow the person to cry and to express his or her feelings fully. The nurse can offer a tissue and wait until the crying subsides to talk.