Question

A nurse is caring for a client who recently received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Which of the following statements by the dlient's partner indicatses maisdaptv coping?
A. "I don't understand why he can't get better and return to work.
B. "I don't know if I will be able to meet his physical needs."
C. "I am going to ask my daughter to come and stay for a week."
D. "I cook for him at home and work hard to prepare nutritious meals."

Answer 1

Answer: The correct statement is option B ("I don't know if I will be able to meet his physical needs.")

Explanation:

Coping mechanisms is the ability of a patient to maintain a psychological balance when the normal psychological activities is being disrupted by one reason or another. They are thoughts, behaviours and emotions that a client often relies on to cope with any health condition (which can lead to stress) that affects the normal mental balance of the individual. Coping mechanisms can be classified into two:

--> Adaptive and

--> Maladaptive.

Adaptive coping mechanism occurs when the resulting stress from a health condition is resolved.

Maladaptive coping is when it does not resolve the stress and/or it creates further problems for the client. A client who is recently diagnosed of terminal cancer is bound to have psychological stress as a result of the health condition. This can be managed by using problem solving skills, employing stress management and relaxation techniques, seeking out and using the support of others for example the client's partner.

But when the partner makes a statement such as ( "I don't know if I will be able to meet his physical needs."), It indicates maladaptive coping as it won't help with the recovery of the stress resulting from the health condition of the client.