When the practical nurse (PN) attempts to assist an 18-year-old client with a mild mental disability to ambulate on the first postoperative day after an appendectomy, she becomes angry and yells at the PN, "Get out of here! I'll get up when I'm ready!”. Which response isbest for the PN to make?
Explanation & Rationale
"I will be back in 30 minutes to help you get out of bed and walk around the room today.”. Choice B rationale: Telling the client that she must ambulate to avoid complications (Choice B) may be true, but it comes across as authoritarian and may further upset the client. It is essential to address the client's feelings of anger and approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Choice C rationale: Acknowledging the client's anger about the pain of ambulation (Choice C) is a good start, but it is not enough. The nurse should follow up with a plan to assist and encourage the client to walk later, promoting collaboration in the healing process. Choice D rationale: Informing the client about specific instructions to ambulate (Choice D) is important, but the response lacks empathy and fails to address the client's feelings. The nurse needs to consider the client's mental disability and approach the situation with sensitivity.