Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

A patient recently diagnosed with diabetes is stressed about the disease. Which coping strategy is emotion-focused?

1. Working with a nutritionist

2. Attending diabetes education classes

3. Reading about the disease

4. Discussing fears and anxiety with the nurse

The correct answer is: Discussing fears and anxiety with the nurse

Emotion-focused coping strategies aim to manage the emotional distress associated with a situation rather than tackling the situation directly. In this case, discussing fears and anxiety with the nurse allows the patient to express and process their emotional response to the diabetes diagnosis. This type of coping helps to provide a sense of relief and can foster emotional support, which is crucial for managing stress and anxiety related to chronic illnesses. The other options are considered problem-focused strategies or proactive measures designed to address the diabetes directly, rather than dealing with the emotional weight of the diagnosis. Working with a nutritionist focuses on dietary management, attending diabetes education classes is about gaining knowledge and skills related to the disease, and reading about the disease provides information but does not inherently address the emotional aspects of coping with the diagnosis. Thus, discussing emotions directly aligns with the essence of emotion-focused coping.