1. A male patient in stable condition is in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is

asking to see his spouse and two daughters. What should the nurse do?

a. Allow only 5 to 10 minutes with the family.

b. Allow the wife and daughters to

visit at the patient’s request.

c. Allow the two daughters to visit,

and let the wife visit when they

leave.

d.

Allow the wife and one daughter to enter the ICU but not the other

daughter.

ANS: B

Use of support systems is important in any health care setting. Allowing the

family to visit is appropriate since the patient is in stable condition. When

patients depend on family and friends for support, encourage them to visit the

patient. As long as no interference with active patient care is involved, there is

no reason to limit visitation. Limiting the visit is not necessary since the

patient is stable. Breaking the family apart is not needed; the patient is stable

and can see all three at once.

2. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal

illness. The patient states, “I just don’tfeel like going to work. I have no

energy, and I can’t eat orsleep.” The patient shows no interest in taking part in

the care by saying, “What’s the use?” Which response by the nurse is best?

a. It sounds like you have lost hope.

b. It sounds like you have lost energy. 1

c. It sounds like you have lost your appetite.