A patient recovering from a surgical pregnancy termination returns for a postprocedure examination. The patient tells the nurse that she is relieved that the procedure is over however is feeling sad. What should the nurse do to assist the patient at this time?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After a surgical pregnancy termination, most women report to be relieved with the decision; however, those who express sadness and guilt may need to be referred for professional counseling so they can integrate and accept this event in their lives. Asking the patient to identify the source of the sadness will not help the patient work through feelings caused by the procedure. Recommending the patient attend contraceptive counseling sessions does not focus on the source of the patient's sadness. Discussing antidepressant use may be premature for this patient.

A Patient Recovering from a Surgical Pregnancy Termination Returns for a Postprocedure