Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Related

Review Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing related questions and content

A young child is having abdominal pain, and the doctor informs the parents that a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan of the abdomen will be ordered. The doctor tells the child, "This CAT scan won't hurt you." The child is visibly upset because of a fear of cats. According to Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory, which stage of the framework is represented?

  • A. Stimuli frame
  • B. Appraisal stage
  • C. Initiation of coping mechanisms
  • D. Adaptation
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: The child is upset due to a fear of cats, leading to uncertainty about the situation.
Step 2: Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory focuses on how individuals respond to uncertainty in health-related situations.
Step 3: In this case, the child's fear of cats creates a misinterpretation of the term "CAT scan."
Step 4: This misinterpretation falls under the Stimuli frame stage, where the individual perceives the situation based on external cues.
Step 5: Other choices are incorrect as they do not directly address the initial misinterpretation caused by the fear of cats.

In summary, choice A is correct because it aligns with Mishel's theory by highlighting the initial stimuli (fear of cats) causing uncertainty in the child's understanding of the situation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the specific misinterpretation of the term "CAT scan" due to the fear of cats.