A client is scheduled for major surgery tomorrow and appears anxious about the lack of family visit. Which nurse’s question would best determine the level of anxiety?

A client is scheduled for major surgery tomorrow and appears anxious about the lack of family visit. Which nurse’s question would best determine the level of anxiety?

• A. Do you have questions about the surgery tomorrow?
• B. Would you like for me to call a family member to come support you?
• C. Would you like to talk with another client who had the same surgery?
• D. You seem worried about something. Would it help to talk about it?

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is using therapeutic communication to assess a patient’s anxiety by inviting them to share what they’re feeling. The line that acknowledges the patient’s visible worry and opens the door to discussion does two crucial things: it validates the emotion and it invites the patient to express specifics about what’s causing the anxiety. This approach helps the nurse gauge how intense the anxiety is and what needs are driving it, whether information gaps, reassurance, or social support. Why this is best: by saying “You seem worried about something. Would it help to talk about it?” the nurse demonstrates empathy, avoids judgment, and uses an open-ended prompt. It shifts the interaction from a yes/no check of concerns to a conversation that reveals the underlying worries, enabling targeted support before surgery. The other options don’t assess anxiety as effectively: asking if the patient has questions about the surgery addresses knowledge needs but not the emotional state; offering to call a family member assumes a need for social support without assessing its relevance or the patient’s comfort level; suggesting talking with another patient could be comforting but doesn’t directly explore the individual’s personal fears and may raise confidentiality issues.

The main idea being tested is using therapeutic communication to assess a patient’s anxiety by inviting them to share what they’re feeling. The line that acknowledges the patient’s visible worry and opens the door to discussion does two crucial things: it validates the emotion and it invites the patient to express specifics about what’s causing the anxiety. This approach helps the nurse gauge how intense the anxiety is and what needs are driving it, whether information gaps, reassurance, or social support.

Why this is best: by saying “You seem worried about something. Would it help to talk about it?” the nurse demonstrates empathy, avoids judgment, and uses an open-ended prompt. It shifts the interaction from a yes/no check of concerns to a conversation that reveals the underlying worries, enabling targeted support before surgery.

The other options don’t assess anxiety as effectively: asking if the patient has questions about the surgery addresses knowledge needs but not the emotional state; offering to call a family member assumes a need for social support without assessing its relevance or the patient’s comfort level; suggesting talking with another patient could be comforting but doesn’t directly explore the individual’s personal fears and may raise confidentiality issues.