Kathy is the parent of 13-year-old Meg, who has cerebral palsy. In th

Kathy is the parent of 13-year-old Meg, who has cerebral palsy.

In the medical record, it is noted that in a previous hospitalization Kathy complained that Meg was forced to wear an oxygenation saturation monitor although the physician had said it was not needed. After you introduce yourself as the nurse, which of the following statements might best help build a positive nurse-family partnership?
1. “I understand that you were upset about the monitor during the last hospitalization, but every patient has to wear it.”
2. “I know that you were upset during the last hospitalization. We will not use the monitor if the physician does not believe it is needed.”
3. “Is there some way we can help Meg better comply with wearing the monitor during this hospitalization?”
4. “Parents are often upset during hospitalizations. Fatigue reduces your patience for hospital routine.”

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: 2

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1 Rigid adherence to hospital policy places the nurse in position of directing the care of the hospitalized individual rather than sharing responsibility with the family or considering their expertise in the care of their child.
2 Nurses who acknowledge prior experiences of a family might establish a foundation on which to build a positive relationship. This comment supports the family in partnering for mutually positive outcomes.
3 This comment suggests that the nurse is intent on following procedure and focusing on the ill individual rather than considering the family as mutual partners in care.