Question

A female patient who initially came to the clinic with incontinence was recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer. She is usually well organized and calm, but the nurse who is giving her preoperative instructions observes that the patient is irritable, has difficulty concentrating, and yells at her husband. Which action should the nurse take?

a. Ask the health care provider for a psychiatric referral.
b. Focus teaching on preventing postoperative complications.
c. Try to calm the patient before repeating any information about the surgery.
d. Encourage the patient to combine the hysterectomy with surgery for bladder repair.

Answer 1

The nurse should try to calm the patient before repeating any information about the surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the patient's recent diagnosis of endometrial cancer, her irritability, difficulty concentrating, and angry outbursts may be attributed to stress and anxiety related to the diagnosis. The nurse should try to calm the patient before repeating any information about the surgery, as she may be more receptive when she is in a calmer state. It would not be appropriate to jump to conclusions about psychiatric referral or focus solely on preventing postoperative complications without addressing the patient's emotional well-being. Additionally, combining the hysterectomy with surgery for bladder repair would not be helpful for the patient's current situation.