The patient is struggling with a decision whether or not to receive experimental treatment.What is the nurse's role when caring for this patient?
A) Provide recommendations for decision making.
B) Teach the patient how to apply logic to the situation.
C) Advocate for the patient with the primary healthcare provider.
D) Listen to the patient's thoughts, ask questions, and provide support.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse's role while the patient is making a decision is to support the patient,listen to his thoughts,ask questions to help the patient think things through,and provide unbiased information.The nurse should not lead the patient to what the nurse thinks is best,but allow the patient to make his own decision (autonomy).Although the nurse may help the patient think through the decision,the nurse would not teach the patient how to make a decision because this could bias the patient toward the nurse's opinion (a subtle form of coercion).There is no need for the nurse to advocate for the patient until he makes a decision; this is not the nurse's role at this time.

The Patient Is Struggling with a Decision Whether or Not