The nurse is caring for a hospitalized young-adult male who works as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. He states that he would like to get a better job but has no education. How can the nurse best assist this patient psychosocially?

A) By providing information and referrals
B) By focusing on the patient's medical diagnoses
C) By telling the patient that he needs to go back to school
D) By expecting the patient to be flexible in decision making

Support from the nurse, access to information, and appropriate referrals provide opportunities for achievement of a patient's potential. Health is not merely the absence of disease (focusing on medical diagnoses) but involves wellness in all human dimensions. Telling a patient what to do (go back to school) is inappropriate. Each person (not the nurse) needs to make these decisions based on individual factors. Insecure persons tend to be more rigid in making decisions.