A family member tells the nurse, 'I don’t know how I’m going to manage without my mother. She took care of everything for us.' Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges the family member's feelings while offering support and resources for managing the situation gradually. By providing resources, the nurse empowers the family member to learn how to handle things independently over time. This approach promotes self-reliance and resilience. Choice B focuses on time rather than active coping strategies, which may not address the family member's immediate needs. Choice C suggests shifting responsibilities to another family member without considering the emotional impact. Choice D jumps to the conclusion of needing professional counseling without exploring other potential solutions or support systems.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide rest periods to reduce fatigue. Prioritizing rest periods can help alleviate fatigue, a common symptom in patients with advanced cancer. Encouraging small, frequent meals (choice A) may not be effective if the patient has no appetite. Administering appetite stimulants (choice B) may not address the root cause of fatigue. Discussing parenteral nutrition (choice D) is not the priority as it does not directly address the fatigue and loss of appetite reported by the patient. Rest is essential for symptom management and overall well-being in palliative care.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because hospice care indeed focuses on providing support and comfort for patients at the end of life. This is achieved through pain management, emotional support, and enhancing quality of life. Choice A is incorrect because hospice care does not aim to cure serious illnesses but rather to provide comfort and care. Choice C is incorrect as hospice care is not limited to patients with cancer but is available to individuals with various terminal illnesses. Choice D is incorrect as hospice care does not focus on extending life expectancy but rather on improving the quality of life during the end-of-life period.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: To validate a nurse’s knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification in critical care nursing validates a nurse's expertise and knowledge in this specialized area of nursing. It demonstrates that the nurse has met certain standards and competencies in critical care practice. This certification ensures that the nurse is well-equipped to provide high-quality care to critically ill patients. A: To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake - This choice is incorrect because certification does not guarantee that nurses will not make mistakes. It focuses on validating knowledge and skills rather than infallibility. B: To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate school - This choice is incorrect as certification is more focused on practice readiness rather than academic preparation. C: To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility - This choice is incorrect as magnet status relates more to the overall excellence and quality of nursing care in a facility, not individual certification.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because reducing patient errors is the most important outcome of effective communication in healthcare. Clear and accurate communication among healthcare providers and patients can prevent misunderstandings, leading to fewer errors in diagnosis, treatment, and medication administration. This ultimately improves patient safety and outcomes. A: Demonstrating caring practices to family members is important but not the most crucial outcome of effective communication in healthcare. B: Ensuring that patient teaching is provided is essential, but patient safety through error reduction takes precedence. C: Meeting the diversity needs of patients is crucial for patient-centered care, but error reduction directly impacts patient safety, making it more critical.