Final answer:
The most suitable intervention for a patient who is withdrawn and maintains a physical distance is a. Refraining from touch. Offering a small wave with eye contact and a smile might be a more appropriate greeting, and it is essential to respect a patient's comfort level with touch in healthcare settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Appropriate Use of Touch with a Suspicious Patient
When interacting with a patient who is withdrawn, suspicious, and maintains physical distance, it is important to be respectful of their personal space and comfort with physical contact. The most suitable intervention that demonstrates appropriate use of touch with this type of patient would be a. Refraining from touch. Patting the patient, reaching out for a handshake, or placing an arm around the patient without express permission could breach their personal space and exacerbate their discomfort or suspicion.
A firm handshake, which was a common greeting before 2020, may no longer be appropriate due to COVID-19 and other concerns. A small wave, coupled with eye contact and a friendly smile, may convey warmth and professionalism without making the patient uncomfortable. Additionally, strict hand hygiene practices must be adhered to in order to prevent contamination and infection spread, as is the case when dealing with isolated patients like Marisa, as described in the reference scenario.
Hence, understanding and respecting a patient's comfort level with touch, observance of hand hygiene, and the potential cultural, religious, or personal reasons for avoiding touch are crucial in healthcare settings.