Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has just had a modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The client is in their 30s and has two young children. Although the client is worried about their future, they seem to be adjusting well to their diagnosis. What should the nurse do to support coping?
Encourage the client to proceed with the next phase of treatment. Tell the client's spouse or partner to be supportive while the client recovers. Refer the client to the American Cancer Society's Reach for Recovery program or another support program. Recommend that the client remain cheerful for the sake of the children.
Encourage the client to proceed with the next phase of treatment. Tell the client's spouse or partner to be supportive while the client recovers. Refer the client to the American Cancer Society's Reach for Recovery program or another support program. Recommend that the client remain cheerful for the sake of the children.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation is to **refer the client to the American Cancer Society's Reach for Recovery program or another support program**. This program provides emotional support and practical assistance from trained volunteers who have gone through similar experiences. It can help the client cope with their diagnosis and recovery by providing a sense of community and understanding.
While encouraging the client to proceed with their next phase of treatment is important, access to peer support can be critical for emotional well-being. Additionally, informing the spouse or partner to be supportive is helpful but should be part of a broader approach that includes direct support for the client. Recommending that the client remain cheerful for the sake of their children may not address the client's emotional needs and could inadvertently pressure them to suppress their feelings.
Therefore, referring the client to a support program is the best way to provide meaningful support and encourage healthy coping mechanisms.
While encouraging the client to proceed with their next phase of treatment is important, access to peer support can be critical for emotional well-being. Additionally, informing the spouse or partner to be supportive is helpful but should be part of a broader approach that includes direct support for the client. Recommending that the client remain cheerful for the sake of their children may not address the client's emotional needs and could inadvertently pressure them to suppress their feelings.
Therefore, referring the client to a support program is the best way to provide meaningful support and encourage healthy coping mechanisms.