When assessing a patient’s needs for psychologic support after the patient has been diagnosed with stage I cancer of the colon, which question by the nurse will provide the most information?
A. "How do you feel about having a possibly terminal illness?"
B. "How long ago were you diagnosed with this cancer?"
C. "Are you familiar with the stages of emotional adjustment to a diagnosis like cancer of the colon?"
D. "Can you tell me what has been helpful to you in the past when coping with stressful events?"
Correct Answer: D. “Can you tell me what has been helpful to you in the past when coping with stressful events?”
Option D: Information about how the patient has coped with past stressful situations helps the nurse determine usual coping mechanisms and their effectiveness.
Option A: The patient with stage I cancer is not considered to have a terminal illness at this time, and this question is likely to worry the patient unnecessarily.
Option B: The length of time since the diagnosis will not provide much information about the patient’s need for support.
Option C: The patient’s knowledge of typical stages in adjustment to a critical diagnosis does not provide insight into patient’s needs for assistance.
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