An older adult patient who underwent bowel resection is recovering from surgery without complication.He ambulates in the hallway and requires little analgesia for pain.During the healthcare team's morning rounds,the surgeon informs the patient that the lesion removed was cancerous.Which factor will likely be the patient's most significant obstacle for learning?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anxiety associated with the new diagnosis of cancer will most likely be a barrier to learning in this patient.Fear of the unknown,fear of pain,fear of physical discomfort with treatment options,fear of altered role in home or work life,and many other fears accompany the anxiety that patients often experience when potentially life-threatening diagnoses are communicated.The patient has been ambulating and requiring a minimal amount of pain medication; therefore,his physical condition is probably not the most significant barrier to learning.Simply because the patient is an older adult does not suggest he has reduced capacity to learn.

An Older Adult Patient Who Underwent Bowel Resection Is Recovering