Which technique would be best in caring for a client following receiving a diagnosis of a stage IV tumor in the brain?
A. Offering the client pamphlets on support groups for brain cancer.
B. Asking the client if there is anything he or his family needs.
C. Reminding the client that advances in technology are occurring every day.
D. Providing accurate information about the disease and treatment options.
Correct Answer: D. Providing accurate information about the disease and treatment options.
Providing information for the client is the best technique for a new diagnosis. Every clinician at one time or another faces these important questions. In the treatment of terminally ill patients, the health professional needs many skills: the ability to deliver bad news, the knowledge to provide appropriate optimal end-of-life care, and the compassion to allow a person to retain his or her dignity.
Option A: Cassem, in the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General Hospital Psychiatry, recommends relaying negative information to patients through a brief, rehearsed initial statement that succinctly communicates the news and clearly indicates that the treatment team is committed to the ongoing care and support of the patient.
Option B: In considering the emotional state of a person with terminal illness, it is often helpful to consider the effects of the family members on the patient and vice versa. By observing the interactions of a patient with family, the consultant can become aware of long-standing grudges or new difficulties in communication that can make the process of coming to closure at the end of a life more difficult.
Option C: In most cases, patients who are told their diagnosis in an up-front, clear manner have better emotional adjustments to their situation than those who are not told about their condition. By providing direct, clear information in a compassionate manner, and by making clear to the patient that everything possible will be done to provide medical and emotional support, physicians can elicit trust and reduce anxiety.