Question

A patient in whom cancer has just been diagnosed tells the nurse, "Just get out of here and leave me alone! Let me suffer alone. God is punishing me." The nurse determines that the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient is. a) Impaired Comfort

b) Ineffective Coping
c) Risk for Spiritual Distress
d) Fear of Death

Answer 1

The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the patient exhibiting signs of struggling with the spiritual implications of their condition is 'Risk for Spiritual Distress'. This takes into account the patient's emotional and spiritual state, which is supported by the five stages of grief proposed by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for a patient who has just been diagnosed with cancer and expresses the desire to suffer alone while perceiving their condition as a punishment from God would be c) Risk for Spiritual Distress. This diagnosis reflects the patient's struggle with the spiritual and existential aspects of their diagnosis, as implied by their perception of illness as a punishment. It is crucial for the nursing staff to address not only the physical but also the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient. According to Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are a process through which individuals may go when facing terminal illnesses such as cancer. Moreover, the social support from religious or spiritual communities can help in coping with the distress associated with such diagnoses.