The nurse is caring for a client who sustained a spinal cord injury a week ago and becomes angry, telling the nurse "I want to be transferred to a hospital where the nurses know what they are doing!" Which of the following actions by the nurse is best?
A)Ask for the client's input into the plan for care.
B)Clarify that abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.
C)Reassure the client about the competence of the nursing staff.
D)Continue to perform care without responding to the client's comments.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client is demonstrating behaviours consistent with the anger phase of the mourning process, and the nurse should allow expression of anger and seek the client's input into care. Expression of anger is appropriate at this stage and should be tolerated by the nurse. Reassurance about the competency of the staff will not be helpful in responding to the client's anger. Ignoring the client's comments will increase the client's anger and sense of helplessness.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Sustained a Spinal