Question

9. The nurse is part of the health care team at an oncology center. A patient has been diagnosed with leukemia and the prognosis is poor, but the patient is not yet aware of the prognosis. How can the bad news best be conveyed to the patient?

A) Family should be given the prognosis first.
B) The prognosis should be delivered with the patient at eye level.
C) The physician should deliver the news to the patient alone.
D) The appointment should be scheduled at the end of the day.

Answer 1

The bad news of a poor prognosis for a patient diagnosed with leukemia should be conveyed by the physician delivering the news directly to the patient alone, at eye level. The option (B) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bad news of a poor prognosis for a patient diagnosed with leukemia can best be conveyed by the physician delivering the news directly to the patient alone.

This allows the patient to process the information privately and have the opportunity to ask questions or express their emotions. Additionally, delivering the news at eye level helps create a sense of equality and respect between the physician and patient. Therefore, option (B) is correct.