Following a traumatic motor vehicle collision, a young adult client is recovering from an emergent above-the-knee amputation. The client's spouse visits the surgical unit briefly each evening but remains near the doorway, deliberately avoids looking at the residual limb, and states, "I just cannot handle seeing medical things." The client tearfully tells the nurse, "My spouse is disgusted by me and won't be able to help me at home." Which action should the nurse take first to address this support system concern?
- AReassure the client that they should not worry because the spouse's reaction is temporary and will improve over time.
- BInstruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to sit with the client and evaluate their emotional readiness for discharge.
- Arrange a private conversation with the spouse to acknowledge their distress and explore their specific fears about the recovery process.Cevap
- DAssume the spouse's behavior is a cultural difference in coping with trauma and document the observation without intervening.
Cevap
Arrange a private conversation with the spouse to acknowledge their distress and explore their specific fears about the recovery process.
In times of severe physical trauma, family members often experience acute anxiety and exhibit avoidance behaviors. Because the spouse is the primary support system for home discharge, the nurse must directly assess the spouse's emotional state, fears, and capacity to provide care. Doing this in a private conversation validates the spouse's distress without increasing the client's anxiety, establishing a baseline to develop an effective family care plan.
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Assessing and Facilitating Support Systems