The nurse cares for a client who just had surgical excision and biopsy of a tumor. The biopsy results show that the tumor is malignant, but the client has not yet been informed by the health care provider. The client asks the nurse, "Am I going to die?" Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?

Question

The nurse cares for a client who just had surgical excision and biopsy of a tumor.  The biopsy results show that the tumor is malignant, but the client has not yet been informed by the health care provider.  The client asks the nurse, "Am I going to die?"  Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clients with life-limiting diagnoses often experience anxiety, frustration, and the phases of grief. The nurse must assess the client's knowledge and feelings regarding the illness. Use of therapeutic communication (eg, active listening, reflection, focusing) allows the nurse to determine client needs and strengthens the nurse-client relationship, which is instrumental in helping the client cope with difficult information (Option B). The health care provider (HCP) should inform the client of biopsy results so that the prognosis and plan of treatment can be discussed. Although a cancer diagnosis may be difficult for the client to receive, a complete, factual discussion of the diagnosis can help the client feel more in control. (Option A) Indicating knowledge of the client's feelings and changing the subject weaken the nurse-client relationship by making the nurse seem uncomfortable with the situation, minimizing the client's feelings, and disregarding client concerns. (Option C) The HCP should be involved in informing the client about the biopsy results. It is best that both the HCP and nurse be present to address all questions and concerns the client may have. (Option D) An automatic response is a nontherapeutic communication technique that deflects the client's feelings, thereby weakening the nurse-client relationship. The nurse should encourage the client to share their thoughts. Educational objective: Clients with life-limiting diagnoses experience anxiety, frustration, and grief as they cope. The nurse should use therapeutic communication (eg, active listening, reflection, focusing) to determine the client's understanding and strengthen the nurse-client relationship before discussing difficult news (eg, new cancer diagnosis).

The Nurse Cares for a Client Who Just Had Surgical