Final answer:
A nurse can alleviate a patient's anxiety about retinal detachment surgery by creating a reassuring environment, offering clear explanations about the procedure, encouraging questions, and teaching relaxation techniques.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse caring for a 23-year-old construction worker who is scheduled for a retinal detachment repair can provide emotional support in several ways. First, it is important to create a calm and reassuring environment. The nurse can explain the procedure using supportive and understandable language, outlining that the detached retina will be treated with a laser to create scar tissue that helps hold it in place. Talking through this information can help demystify the process and reduce anxiety. Furthermore, the nurse can indicate that the surgeon anesthesia professional, and the rest of the medical team are experienced and will be reviewing the patient’s care and recovery process vigilantly. Good communication is essential encouraging the patient to ask questions and expressing concerns can give the patient a sense of control and involvement in his care.
The nurse can also employ techniques such as relaxation methods deep breathing exercises, or providing reading materials about the procedure. Endorsements of the success rate of the procedure and the recovery expectations might alleviate the patient’s fears. Additionally, it can be helpful to focus on post-surgery care and the steps that will be taken to ensure a smooth recovery, emphasizing the temporary nature of the condition and the proactive steps being taken to address it.