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Fundamental Review 6-4
Fundamental Review 6-4
Nursing Interventions to Meet Psychosocial Needs of Patients Having Surgery
Establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship, allowing the patient to verbalize fears and concerns.
Use active listening skills to identify and validate verbal and nonverbal messages revealing anxiety and fear.
Use touch, as appropriate, to demonstrate genuine empathy and caring.
Be prepared to respond to common patient questions about surgery:
Will I lose control of my body functions while I'm having surgery?
How long will I be in the operating room and PACU?
Where will my family be?
Will I have pain when I wake up?
Will the anesthetic make me sick?
Will I need a blood transfusion?
How long will it be before I can eat?
What kind of scar will I have?
When will I be able to be sexually active?
When can I go back to work?