Final answer:
The nurse should provide caring counseling and education, respecting the client's autonomy while emphasizing the benefits of quitting smoking through nicotine replacement therapy to ease withdrawal symptoms and improve health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appropriate response by the nurse to the client who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and refuses medication for nicotine withdrawal by stating they have smoked since young and will not stop now might be to provide supportive counseling and education. It is important for the nurse to acknowledge the client's autonomy while also providing information about the benefits of quitting smoking, even after a lung cancer diagnosis. The nurse can explain that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is designed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, making the quitting process more bearable, and emphasize that despite the challenges, quitting smoking can still improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Nicotine is highly addictive and quitting can be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, headaches, and irritability. However, the nurse can reassure the client that most withdrawal symptoms peak in the first few days and may decrease thereafter, although cravings can persist for longer. Offering resources and support, such as a referral to a smoking cessation program or support group, could also be part of the nurse's response. This approach emphasizes a compassionate and patient-centered care model that respects the client's choices while encouraging positive health behaviors.