The nurse is caring for a 35-year-old patient with Hodgkin's disease and receiving radiation and chemotherapy. Which statement by the patient indicates that he is using a positive coping mechanism that is useful during the course of the treatments?

Explanation

•Expressing personal feelings and positive interventions to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation demonstrates a positive coping mechanism.

•Combined radiation and chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer often causes alopecia in patients with Hodgkin’s Disease. The patient must be able to identify personal feelings and verbalize positive interventions that indicate they are able to deal with the side effects of the therapy.

•All the other options show ineffective coping mechanisms. They involve avoidance and denial.

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