A 68-year-old patient is scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy. The OR nurse has come out to the holding area to meet the patient and quickly realizes that the patient is profoundly anxious. What is the most appropriate intervention for the nurse to apply?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse can alleviate anxiety by supplying information as the patient requests it. The nurse should not assume that every patient wants as much detail as possible and false reassurance must be avoided.
Reminding the patient that she will be unconscious is unlikely to reduce anxiety.

A 68-Year-Old Patient Is Scheduled for a Bilateral Mastectomy