The Physician Has Asked You to Draw Blood from Peter

question 63

Multiple Choice

The physician has asked you to draw blood from Peter, a 24-year-old patient, for routine pre-employment testing. As you begin explaining the process, Peter starts to look very uncomfortable. Although he pretends nothing is wrong, you soon discover that he is afraid of needles. Which of the following suggestions might you make to help Peter?

• A) "Take rapid, shallow breaths while I insert the needle in your arm."
• B) "Tense the muscles in your arm so it won't hurt as much."
• C) "See the magazine in the rack on the wall? Focus on that while I draw the blood."
• D) "This will be painful, but I know you are brave enough to get through it."
• E) "If you do not let me draw your blood, the company won't hire you."

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Definitions:

Cortisol

A steroid hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress or low blood-glucose concentration, involved in various body functions including metabolism and the immune response.

Carcinogens

Substances or exposures that are known to lead to cancer development in living tissue.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for carrying motor and sensory information both to and from the central nervous system.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for action and stress responses.