05-06-2007, 10:14 AM
A 67-year-old woman with a 2-month history of cough was admitted to the hospital after chest x-ray film and CT scan showed a lung mass with suspected mediastinal extension. Biopsies obtained during bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy showed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the peritracheal lymph nodes. A pulmonary consultant has determined that the tumor is inoperable, and that the only available treatment is palliative radiation therapy. The patient has been informed of the diagnosis by you and others, but when you see her now in your office she seems unclear about what she has been told.
Item 1 of 2
33. Given the patient's uncertainty about the details of her diagnosis, which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A
) Ask the pulmonologist to explain the diagnosis to her
B
) Assume that she is depressed and begin antidepressant pharmacotherapy
C
) Give her the phone number for the American Cancer Society
D
) Recommend that she bring family members with her to her visit next week
E
) Recommend that she obtain a second opinion
-i think it is our resp to counsel her again, although others help
Item 1 of 2
33. Given the patient's uncertainty about the details of her diagnosis, which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A
) Ask the pulmonologist to explain the diagnosis to her
B
) Assume that she is depressed and begin antidepressant pharmacotherapy
C
) Give her the phone number for the American Cancer Society
D
) Recommend that she bring family members with her to her visit next week
E
) Recommend that she obtain a second opinion
-i think it is our resp to counsel her again, although others help