A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to meet with an oncologist in several days. Which coping strategy would be best for the nurse to recommend at this time?

A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to meet with an oncologist in several days. Which coping strategy would be best for the nurse to recommend at this time?

• A. Go away for a few days to forget about the situation.
• B. Talk to family and friends about negative feelings.
• C. Seek information about the cancer and treatment options.
• D. Wait to see what the oncologist recommends for treatment.

Answer: (C)

Seeking information about the cancer and its treatment options helps a patient regain a sense of control and prepares them to engage actively in the upcoming oncologist visit. When a new diagnosis arrives, uncertainty is common, and learning about the disease, possible treatments, likely outcomes, and questions to ask can reduce anxiety by turning fear of the unknown into concrete, actionable knowledge. This proactive coping supports informed decision-making and helps the patient participate meaningfully in their care. Avoidance—trying to forget the situation for a few days—tends to delay processing and adjustment, which can hinder long-term adaptation. Sharing negative feelings with family and friends provides essential emotional support, which is valuable, but on its own it doesn’t equip the patient with the information needed to navigate the next steps. Waiting to see what the oncologist recommends is passive and misses the chance to prepare thoughtful questions and clarify goals before the formal consultation.

Seeking information about the cancer and its treatment options helps a patient regain a sense of control and prepares them to engage actively in the upcoming oncologist visit. When a new diagnosis arrives, uncertainty is common, and learning about the disease, possible treatments, likely outcomes, and questions to ask can reduce anxiety by turning fear of the unknown into concrete, actionable knowledge. This proactive coping supports informed decision-making and helps the patient participate meaningfully in their care.

Avoidance—trying to forget the situation for a few days—tends to delay processing and adjustment, which can hinder long-term adaptation. Sharing negative feelings with family and friends provides essential emotional support, which is valuable, but on its own it doesn’t equip the patient with the information needed to navigate the next steps. Waiting to see what the oncologist recommends is passive and misses the chance to prepare thoughtful questions and clarify goals before the formal consultation.