The spouse of a patient admitted with a gunshot wound asks the nurse when her husband will be discharged so that they can resume their life together. How should the nurse respond?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is not appropriate for the nurse to provide a definitive timeline for the patient's discharge and return to previous activities. There are many factors that can impact the patient's recovery and care plan, including the severity of the gunshot wound, potential complications, and ongoing rehabilitation needs. The nurse should be honest with the spouse and explain that it is difficult to predict how long the patient will need to remain hospitalized or what the future will hold. Providing a general timeframe, such as "a few weeks," could provide unrealistic expectations and cause distress for the spouse if that timeframe is not met.

The Spouse of a Patient Admitted with a Gunshot Wound