A Patient Is Recovering from a Severe Myocardial Infarction (MI)

question 17

Multiple Choice

A patient is recovering from a severe myocardial infarction (MI) . He tells his nurse, to whom he is very close, "I will be fine once I get home. All that 'watch your cholesterol, watch your calories, watch your stress' stuff is bull; if your time is up, your time is up." Which response would be most therapeutic?

• A) "You've had a very serious heart attack and are lucky to be getting a second chance that many don't get; what you do with it is up to you."
• B) "It sounds as if you would be just as happy with dying sooner as later. I wonder if those cute grandkids would feel the same way."
• C) "Well, when you are home you can do as you wish, but until then you are on a low-sodium, low-fat diet and will be walking 30 minutes per shift."
• D) "Research has shown that diet changes and stress control can at least double how long a person lives after a heart attack like yours."

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