Author Question: A patient tells the nurse, I know that I should reduce the stress in my life, but I have no idea ... (Read 26 times)

iveyjurea · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient tells the nurse, I know that I should reduce the stress in my life, but I have no idea where to start. What would be the best initial nursing response?

a. Physical exercise works to elevate mood and reduce anxiety.
b. Reading about stress and how to manage it might be a good place to start.
c. Why not start by learning to meditate? That technique will cover everything.
d. Let's talk about what is going on in your life and then look at possible options.

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse, I will never be happy until I'm as successful as my older sister. The nurse asks the patient to reassess this statement and reframe it. Which reframed statement by the patient is most likely to promote coping?

a. People should treat me as well as they treat my sister.
b. I can find contentment in succeeding at my own job level.
c. I won't be happy until I make as much money as my sister.
d. Being as smart or clever as my sister isn't really important.

tofugiraffe · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
In this case, the nurse lacks information about what stressors the patient is coping with or about what coping skills are already possessed. Further assessment is indicated before potential solutions can be explored. Suggesting exploration of the stress facing the patient is the only option that involves further assessment rather than suggesting a particular intervention.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Finding contentment within one's own work, even when it does not involve success as others might define it, is likely to lead to a reduced sense of distress about achievement level. It speaks to finding satisfaction and happiness without measuring the self against another person. Focusing on salary is simply a more specific way of being as successful as the sister, which would not promote coping. Expecting others to treat her as they do her sister is beyond her control. Dismissing the sister's cleverness as unimportant indicates that the patient continues to feel inferior to the sibling.