The nurse is assisting a co-worker who is preparing to change a deep wound dressing on a patient's abdomen. Several of the patient's out-of-town friends are at the bedside watching a football game. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to consider prior to the dressing change?
A) Ask the friends to leave the room.
B) Pull the curtain around the bed.
C) Allow visitors to stay in the room during the procedure.
D) Ask the patient to turn up the volume on the television.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is appropriate for the nurse to ask visitors to leave a patient's room for a few minutes. Several factors affect the location appropriate for communication with patients. Privacy and confidentiality are critical during the interviewing and assessment process. Simply pulling a cubicle curtain around a patient's bed does not prevent the transmission of sound beyond the curtain. Make every effort to talk with patients in an environment with as few interruptions and distractions as possible. Ask the patient to turn off competing technology and to focus on the nurse-patient interaction as needed.

The Nurse Is Assisting a Co-Worker Who Is Preparing to Change