Emotional Response

No. 12 To identify and accept positive and negative expressions, feelings, and reactions.

By: Lee Elvin Pangilinan

As student nurses, we were taught to look at our clients as “whole”, rounded persons instead of linear organisms with singular needs. With this train of thought, we are able to establish that beyond the physical needs of our clients, they also have emotional, social, cultural and spiritual requirements. Therefore, we are trained to not only look, listen and feel for physical symptoms but also to read between the lines and identify underlying and potential emotional, social or spiritual problems.

We can apply this, for instance, to a client who is to undergo a procedure in the operating room. They are, in a way, diving into the unknown, because aside from the physical repercussions, they also have to deal with the social and emotional stress that their illness and subsequent operation entail. It is, therefore, central that the nurse allow the patient to verbalize feelings – be it negative or positive – to further ascertain their worries, needs and priorities. Also, the nurse can observe for non-verbal cues such as gestures and facial expressions to determine if the words of the patient or family match their feelings. And if there are other needs that they are apprehensive to share.

With this, and by working with other members of the health team (including the client’s family and significant support tem), the nurse can focus the care plan to better address the specific need of the client.

I was able to apply this principle in my previous experience as an ICU nurse. We know that patients in intensive care, including their families, are almost always anxious and on edge. That is why I always made time to talk to them and allowed them to share their concerns so that the health team can better address them.

Overall, one can say that allowing patients to express their feelings and validating them is central to creating a functional and effective nursing care plan.