A client with newly diagnosed lung cancer tells the nurse, "I think I am going to die pretty soon." Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?
A)"Would you like to talk to the hospital chaplain about your feelings?"
B)"Can you tell me what it is that makes you think you will die so soon?"
C)"Are you afraid that the treatment for your cancer will not be effective?"
D)"Do you think that taking an antidepressant medication would be helpful?"

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse's initial response should be to collect more assessment data about the client's statement. The answer beginning "Can you tell me what it is" is the most open-ended question and will offer the best opportunity for obtaining more data. The answer beginning, "Are you afraid" implies that the client thinks that the cancer will be immediately fatal, although the client's statement may not be related to the cancer diagnosis. The remaining two answers offer interventions that may be helpful to the client, but more assessment is needed to determine whether these interventions are appropriate.

A Client with Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Tells the Nurse