Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation related questions and content

What would be the most appropriate nursing intervention?

  • A. Put the primary onus for planning care on the patient herself.
  • B. Assess and provide constructive outlets for anger and hostility.
  • C. Assess the patients sources of social support.
  • D. Encourage an attitude of realistic hope to help her deal with helpless feelings.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: By encouraging an attitude of realistic hope, the patient will be empowered. This allows the patient to explore her feelings and bring about more effective coping patterns. The onus for care planning should not lie with the patient. The nursing diagnosis is related to feeling of helplessness, not anger and hostility. Social support is necessary, but does not directly address the feeling of helplessness.