Author Question: A patient has just made some statements that seem vague and ambiguous to the nurse. The best ... (Read 44 times)

maychende · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A patient has just made some statements that seem vague and ambiguous to the nurse. The best statement by the nurse after the patient finishes speaking would be,

a. Are you afraid these tests will bring results that will upset you?
b. I'd like to understand more about what happened earlier today.
c. Why do you think this happened to you today instead of earlier?
d. You said earlier that you were upset by the physician on rounds.

Question 2

A nurse talking with a patient about a new diagnosis of advanced cancer wishes to encourage the patient to continue speaking without asking direct questions. The patient has not decided whether to have treatment or go on hospice.

Which statement by the nurse would best accomplish this goal? a. My brother had the same thing, and he did well with treatment.
b. So you are not sure if you want to try the treatment or not.
c. Tell me more about what you are thinking about your options.
d. Uh huh, I see you are having a conflict about having treatment.

Dinolord · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Saying I'd like to understand more . . . shows clarification, a technique used when a patient makes vague statements or after the patient finishes a train of thought.
Asking whether the patient is afraid to get test results would be an example of reflection, a technique used when a patient does not state his or her underlying feelings. This would not be the best choice in this particular situation.
This why question is probing and might well put the patient on the defensive, especially if the patient does not understand the feelings behind what is being said.
You said earlier that you were upset by the physician on rounds is an example of restatement.

Answer to Question 2

B
In restatement, the nurse repeats what the patient just said, either verbatim or paraphrased. The goal is to let the patient know the nurse is listening and to encourage elaboration.
Telling the patient about a family member's experience with cancer is an example of inappropriate self-disclosure and might make the patient feel as if his or her own feelings were not as important.
Asking the patient to further explain what has just been said is an example of clarification, which helps ensure the message received is the one that was sent. Although useful, this is not the best choice in this situation.
Uh huh, I see you are having a conflict about having treatment sounds patronizing and would most likely make the patient feel as if he or she is not really being listened to because the nurse is deciding what the patient meant.