by Olivia Bredbenner

Created on: August 13, 2009

A patient who is frightened is most often feeling out of control. In addition to perhaps not feeling well , a fearful patient may have increased anxiety related to their illness or hospitalization.. Most often in addition to the anxiety on their face. They may seem restless or even hyperactive. Or some patients may even seem withdrawn in fear. Most patients admit to fear of the unknown.

A patient who is fearful is responding to their situation entirely appropriately. Their feeling should be validated as such. However, some fear can be eliminated or diminished with appropriate intervention by the professional staff caring for them.

It is important for you as a nurse to use your interpersonal and professional skills to help this patient by restoring their sense of control. And by decreasing their state of anxiety. Using a calm approach as you great them. Smile and introduce yourself.

If you are their nurse for the day. Let them know who you are by name , and tell them you will be over seeing their care and assessing their needs. Let them know you will be available to assist them with any information needs they may have. Most often this is enough to break the ice and to provide an opportunity for them to express themselves.

Be sure that your patient is not having pain. If they are, this may be your highest priority. It should be acknowledge as a major concern and then medicate them according to their doctors orders. Be sure to assess them within an hour to confirm that they have had pain relief. Explain to them the use of the *pain scale to confirm and document adequate pain relief.

However, after pain is addressed the next is providing for any information needs they may have. The unknown, especially in the area of medicine is ongoing and one of the greatest areas of patient fear.

Always take the opportunity to review any tests or procedures that a physician has ordered for your patient. Be sure that you provide your patient with explanations regarding tests or procedures. Ideally with written patient education material .

Every patient has their own unique problems and needs. When a patient enters the hospital in addition to health problems, they may carry with them their concerns for their family. This greatly impacts their situation. A psychosocial evaluation may help you identify situations that directly impact your patients sense of well being.

For those patients that will be hospitalized over several days or longer. Take the

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