A terminally ill patient tells the nurse that while pain medication does take the physical pain away, he feels mentally tormented. Which of the following can the nurse do to help this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is complaining of mental torment, which is one spiritual aspect of pain. Nursing interventions to assist this patient include therapeutic presence, attentive listening, acceptance, and careful self-disclosure to promote comfort and diminish pain. The nurse should stay with the patient, listen, and offer words of support. The patient does not need a psychiatric consult. Asking the patient if there is any clergy to contact is not appropriate. Asking the physician to increase the frequency of pain medication also is not appropriate.

A Terminally Ill Patient Tells the Nurse That While Pain