Question

A woman who is a lone parent is about to undergo gallbladder surgery. She tells the nurse on admission that she is uneasy about being in the hospital and leaving her two preschool children with a neighbour. During the assessment phase, what is an appropriate nursing action?

a. Reassure the patient that her children are fine.
b. Call the neighbour to determine whether she is an adequate care provider.
c. Have the patient call the children to reassure herself that they are doing well.
d. Gather more data about the patient's feelings about the child care arrangements.

Answer 1

An appropriate nursing action during the assessment phase would be to gather more data about the patient's feelings about the child care arrangements.

Step-by-step explanation:

An appropriate nursing action during the assessment phase would be to gather more data about the patient's feelings about the child care arrangements. It is important for the nurse to understand the woman's concerns and address them appropriately. Reassuring the patient without further investigation may dismiss her worries, and calling the neighbor or having the patient call the children may not provide a complete understanding of the patient's feelings. Therefore, collecting more information about the patient's feelings will help the nurse provide appropriate support and reassurance.