During the preoperative interview, a patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells the nurse, I am afraid that I will die in surgery like my mother did! Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

During the preoperative interview, a patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells the nurse, I am afraid that I will die in surgery like my mother did! Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Tell me more about what happened to your mother.
• B. You will receive medications to reduce your anxiety.
• C. You should talk to the doctor again about the surgery.
• D. Surgical techniques have improved a lot in recent years.

Answer: (A)

Engaging the patient with an open-ended invitation to describe her fear demonstrates therapeutic communication. Asking, “Tell me more about what happened to your mother” invites she to share the exact worry driving her anxiety, such as whether she fears anesthesia, complications, or a personal risk. This approach validates her feelings, helps the nurse assess the specific source of distress, and gathers essential information to tailor perioperative care and support. By listening attentively, the nurse builds trust, reduces fear, and can provide information or resources that address the patient’s actual concerns. Other responses don’t address the emotion as directly. Offering medications to reduce anxiety focuses on a quick fix rather than uncovering the underlying fear. Suggesting the patient talk to the doctor moves responsibility away from the nurse and doesn’t immediately address her emotional needs. Saying that surgical techniques have improved may be reassuring in general, but it risks minimizing the patient’s personal fear and missing the chance to discuss her specific experience and questions.

Engaging the patient with an open-ended invitation to describe her fear demonstrates therapeutic communication. Asking, “Tell me more about what happened to your mother” invites she to share the exact worry driving her anxiety, such as whether she fears anesthesia, complications, or a personal risk. This approach validates her feelings, helps the nurse assess the specific source of distress, and gathers essential information to tailor perioperative care and support. By listening attentively, the nurse builds trust, reduces fear, and can provide information or resources that address the patient’s actual concerns.

Other responses don’t address the emotion as directly. Offering medications to reduce anxiety focuses on a quick fix rather than uncovering the underlying fear. Suggesting the patient talk to the doctor moves responsibility away from the nurse and doesn’t immediately address her emotional needs. Saying that surgical techniques have improved may be reassuring in general, but it risks minimizing the patient’s personal fear and missing the chance to discuss her specific experience and questions.