Question

A patient returning from operating room is unconscious. What guidelines should the nurse consider when communicating with this patient?

A: provide loud environmental stimuli to assist in arousing the patient.
B: talk to the patient in a normal tone of voice.
C: gently shake the patient's hand or arm before speaking to him or her.
D: there are no guidelines to consider because the patient cannot hear the nurse

Answer 1

When communicating with an unconscious patient returning from the operating room, the nurse should speak to the patient in a normal tone of voice, provide gentle touch, and create a calm and soothing environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When communicating with an unconscious patient returning from the operating room, the nurse should consider the following guidelines:

1. Speak to the patient in a normal tone of voice: Although the patient may be unconscious, they can still hear and may be able to process some information.
2. Provide gentle touch: Instead of shaking the patient's hand or arm, the nurse can provide gentle touch on the patient's shoulder or arm to help establish a connection without causing discomfort.
3. Create a calm and soothing environment: Loud and disruptive stimuli can be overwhelming for an unconscious patient, so it is important to keep the environment as calm and quiet as possible.