A patient with terminal lung cancer has called EMS for shortness of breath. At the request of your paramedic partner, you are getting the patient's blood pressure. While inflating and then deflating the blood pressure cuff, the patient angrily shouts, "That thing is too tight … what are you trying to do, send me to the funeral home a couple of weeks early!" Your best reply would be:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This response validates the patient's feelings of discomfort and acknowledges that the procedure is almost complete. It does not argue or engage in a power struggle with the patient, which could escalate the situation. It also does not dismiss the patient's concerns, as option A does. Option B puts the patient on the defensive by questioning their emotions, which is not productive. Option D is confrontational and unprofessional.

A Patient with Terminal Lung Cancer Has Called EMS for Shortness