For a patient anxious about upcoming surgery, which step should the nurse take first?

For a patient anxious about upcoming surgery, which step should the nurse take first?

• A. Explore the patient's perception of the impending surgery.
• B. Notify the healthcare provider about the client's expressed fears and anxiety.
• C. Present the client with information about the surgical procedure.
• D. Provide the client with distractions to decrease his anxiety.

Answer: (A)

Exploring the patient’s perception of the upcoming surgery is the essential first step because it begins the care with assessment—understanding what the patient believes, what worries them, and what information they already have. This helps uncover specific fears, misconceptions, and learning needs, so you can tailor education and support appropriately. By hearing their viewpoint first, you build trust and can address exact concerns before providing facts or taking further actions. Providing information or distractions, or notifying the provider, are important steps, but they work best after you’ve assessed where the patient is emotionally and cognitively. After understanding their perception, you can offer targeted explanations, correct any misunderstandings, and plan appropriate coping strategies or referrals as needed.

Exploring the patient’s perception of the upcoming surgery is the essential first step because it begins the care with assessment—understanding what the patient believes, what worries them, and what information they already have. This helps uncover specific fears, misconceptions, and learning needs, so you can tailor education and support appropriately. By hearing their viewpoint first, you build trust and can address exact concerns before providing facts or taking further actions.

Providing information or distractions, or notifying the provider, are important steps, but they work best after you’ve assessed where the patient is emotionally and cognitively. After understanding their perception, you can offer targeted explanations, correct any misunderstandings, and plan appropriate coping strategies or referrals as needed.