The nurse enters a patient's room and states, "You're up early." Which action will the nurse take when the patient laughs and replies, "I get up with the chickens"? (A) Leave the room. (B) Laugh with the patient. (C) Proceed with planned care. (D) Indicate that this is an unusual occurrence.
Answer (1)
In this scenario, the nurse is engaging in an interaction with a patient who uses a colloquial expression, "I get up with the chickens," which means the patient wakes up very early. Understanding the context in which this phrase is used is important for maintaining a good nurse-patient relationship.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the interaction and possible nurse actions:
Recognize the Use of Humor : The patient is using humor to possibly lighten the mood or establish rapport with the nurse. Recognizing this helps the nurse to respond in a way that maintains the positive interaction.
Best Course of Action : The nurse should choose option (B) Laugh with the patient. This response acknowledges the humor and engages positively with the patient, supporting a friendly and comforting environment.
Why Not Other Options?
Option (A), Leave the room : This would not be appropriate as it could be seen as dismissive or rude. Leaving abruptly can harm the nurse-patient relationship.
Option (C), Proceed with planned care : While it is important to care for the patient, immediately switching to care without acknowledging the joke may come across as insensitive.
Option (D), Indicate that this is an unusual occurrence : This could potentially make the patient feel self-conscious or awkward about their habits.
Building Rapport : By laughing and connecting over the joke, the nurse builds rapport, which can lead to improved communication and patient cooperation in future interactions.
Professionalism and Empathy : This interaction highlights the necessity for nurses to display empathy, professionalism, and understanding in their communications, ensuring that patients feel heard and respected.
