A patient recovering from surgery expresses fear about the future. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Have the person express himself further.
• B. Encourage optimistic thoughts about the future.
• C. Remind the person of the progress that he has made.
• D. Encourage the person to focus on a more pleasant subject.

Answer: (A)

When someone is afraid about what comes next after surgery, the first move is to let them express those feelings. Encouraging the patient to talk openly uses therapeutic communication to validate emotions, identify the specific fears, and build trust so the nurse can respond appropriately. By listening and inviting further description, the nurse gains a clearer understanding of whether the anxiety is about pain, recovery, dependence, or prognosis, which then guides tailored support, information, and coping strategies. Jumping straight to optimism, reassuring progress, or shifting to a lighter topic can shut down the patient's expression and miss the underlying concerns that need to be addressed.