A Patient Is Recovering from a Severe Myocardial Infarction

question 14

Multiple Choice

A patient is recovering from a severe myocardial infarction.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."