Based on the nursing plan, which intervention should be included to address anxiety and knowledge deficit?

• A. Encourage the client to ask questions and discuss fears about diagnosis.
• B. Restrict fluids to zero.
• C. Schedule family discussion about prognosis.
• D. Ignore anxiety and avoid discussing prognosis.

Answer: (A)

Addressing anxiety and knowledge deficit goes hand in hand through patient-centered communication. Encouraging the client to ask questions and openly discuss fears about the diagnosis directly targets both parts of the problem: it reduces uncertainty that fuels anxiety and reveals what the patient doesn’t understand. By inviting questions, the nurse can assess the patient’s baseline knowledge, identify misconceptions, and tailor explanations in plain language. Using therapeutic communication techniques—open-ended questions, reflective listening, empathy, and restating key points—helps the patient feel heard and supported, which further lowers anxiety. After sharing information, using the teach-back method confirms understanding and reinforces learning.

Other approaches that don’t address the immediate learning needs or worsen the situation are less appropriate. For instance, restricting fluids has no relevance to education or anxiety, and might harm the patient. Scheduling a family discussion about prognosis can be helpful in the right context, but it should occur with the patient’s consent and when the patient desires family involvement; it doesn’t directly address the individual’s own questions and fears. Ignoring anxiety and avoiding prognosis deprives the patient of information and support, likely increasing distress and preventing informed decision-making.