Julia is a pretty, 16-year-old patient who has come to the office for her annual physical. The physician has asked you to draw blood for routine blood tests. When she realizes that you are going to draw her blood, she frowns and backs away. She tells you that when "they" drew her blood last year, it left a huge, ugly bruise that took weeks to go away. Which of the following would be your best response?
A) "They probably didn't draw the blood correctly last time."
B) "Don't worry, I promise I will not cause a bruise on your arm."
C) "If you get a bruise, you can wear long-sleeve shirts for a few weeks."
D) "Some bruising is possible, but I will do everything possible to minimize it."
E) "Bruising is just one of the side effects of having your blood drawn."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best response is to acknowledge the patient's concern, inform her of the possibility of bruising, and assure her that you will take all possible precautions to minimize it. This approach maintains honesty while also providing reassurance.

Julia Is a Pretty, 16-Year-Old Patient Who Has Come to the Office