Vanessa is a 26-year-old patient who has just been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. She is very worried. She tells you she has heard terrible things about this syndrome. "I don't want to die!" she says. Which of the following would be your best response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best response is to provide reassurance and accurate information. Option B is the most accurate and will alleviate Vanessa's fears by informing her that with proper treatment, the disease is not fatal and she may recover completely. Options A, C, and D all contain inaccurate or overly negative information that could cause additional anxiety for Vanessa. Option E is also inaccurate since some treatments such as plasmapheresis and immunoglobulin therapy have been shown to be effective in improving outcomes for Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Vanessa Is a 26-Year-Old Patient Who Has Just Been Diagnosed