A patient has breast cancer. She was diagnosed quite late in the illne

QUESTION

A patient has breast cancer. She was diagnosed quite late in the illness and is terminal. She knows that she has breast cancer and has undergone a mastectomy. No one has told her the extent of her illness. The nurse comes in to change her dressings and ha

The patient looks at the nurse and asks, “What is happening to me? Why won’t anyone explain what is happening to me?” Her husband, Mike, and two daughters look at the nurse and shake their heads, “No.” The best response by the nurse is:
A. “You seem distressed; let’s talk about your concerns.”
B. “You know you are ill; let’s talk about dying.”
C. “You seem concerned about your health; talk to the doctor when he comes in to see you.”
D. “Mike, you need to talk to your wife and tell her what is really happening.”

ANSWER:

ANS: A