A Patient with Severe Burn Injuries Is Irritable, Angry, and Belittles

question 24

Multiple Choice

A patient with severe burn injuries is irritable, angry, and belittles the nurses. As a nurse changes a dressing, the patient screams, "Don't touch me! You are so stupid. You will make it worse!" Which action by the nurse will best help to diffuse the patient's anger?

• A) Stop the dressing change and say, "I will leave the supplies so that you can change your own dressing."
• B) Continue the dressing change and say, "This dressing change is necessary because you were careless with fire."
• C) Discontinue the dressing change, tell the patient, "I will return when you gain control of yourself," and leave the room.
• D) Continue the dressing change and say, "Dressing changes are needed to prevent infection. What are your ideas about how to make it less painful?"