RN Nursing · Coping · Practice question
A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly created colostomy. The client's partner tells the nurse that the client refuses to look at the stoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
-
✓
Suggest the client join a support group for people who have colostomies.
-
Encourage the client and partner to avoid expressing negative feelings about the colostomy.
-
Instruct the client's partner to assume care of the colostomy for the client
-
Transfer the client to a rehabilitation facility for instruction about self-management of the colostomy.
Answer & explanation
Correct: Suggest the client join a support group for people who have colostomies.
Refusing to look at the stoma indicates body image disturbance and difficulty coping with the colostomy. Suggesting a support group connects the client with others who have experienced the same adjustment, providing emotional support and practical coping strategies. Suppressing negative feelings is not therapeutic and can worsen psychological distress. Having the partner assume all stoma care fosters dependence and does not address the client's need to accept the change. Transfer to a rehabilitation facility is premature; the nurse should address psychosocial needs first. Reference: ATI Med-Surg, Ostomy Care; Fundamentals Psychosocial Integrity.
Practise Coping questions
Work through full question sets with instant rationales, timed exams, and progress tracking.
Start practising freeRelated practice questions
- Mr. Hosa narrowly avoids a car accident. His body responds with increased energy, heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness. The sympathetic nervous system prepares him to fight or flee. What phase of the stress response is he experiencing?
- A nurse is working with a patient experiencing high levels of stress and self-criticism. Which intervention best incorporates self-compassion principles to help the patient manage their stress?
- A nurse is collecting data from a client who is experiencing stress. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse ineffective coping?
- A note written about a patient is as follows: "Patient informed of the results of the biopsy. Responded with laughter, stated plans to return to work and to take a cruise in 6 months. In which way would you categorize the patient's response?