Question

A client has been hospitalized for 6 weeks. All of the following interventions are good ones, but which intervention is specifically focused on helping the patient cope with the emotional responses to prolonged hospitalization?

1) Providing skin care every shift to prevent skin breakdown
2) Encouraging the patient to get up in a chair to eat meals
3) Assisting the patient to ambulate in the hallway for several minutes each day
4) Designating a corner of the patient's room to display personal mementos

Answer 1

Designating a space for personal mementos in a patient's room is the intervention that directly focuses on emotional well-being during prolonged hospitalization, offering a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

The intervention specifically focused on helping the patient cope with the emotional responses to prolonged hospitalization is option 4) Designating a corner of the patient's room to display personal mementos. This creates a personal space for the patient, reflecting their identity and history, which can provide comfort and reduce the emotional stress associated with long-term hospital stays. It also supports emotional well-being by making the hospital environment feel more homely and less institutional. The other listed interventions primarily address physical and functional aspects of care rather than emotional support.