An adolescent girl undergoes a leg amputation for cancer; after obtaining her consent, what nursing action is most therapeutic?

An adolescent girl undergoes a leg amputation for cancer; after obtaining her consent, what nursing action is most therapeutic?

• A. Keeping her lower body covered
• B. Placing her in a room by herself
• C. Limiting her visitors to the family
• D. Encouraging her peers to visit

Answer: (D)

Encouraging her peers to visit is most therapeutic because adolescence hinges on peer connections for sense of belonging, identity, and coping with difficult changes. When peers visit, it helps normalize the experience, provides emotional support, and reduces feelings of isolation after a limb loss. This social reinforcement supports mood, self-esteem, and adjustment to body image and functional changes, which are central to recovery and quality of life during this period. Practically, after consent, the nurse can facilitate peer visits by coordinating schedules, preparing the patient and peers about respectful, supportive interactions, and ensuring the patient’s comfort and privacy. Keeping the lower body covered respects modesty, but alone it doesn’t address the need for social support. Placing the patient in a room by herself or restricting visitors can intensify isolation and hinder coping, which is why those options are less therapeutic.

Encouraging her peers to visit is most therapeutic because adolescence hinges on peer connections for sense of belonging, identity, and coping with difficult changes. When peers visit, it helps normalize the experience, provides emotional support, and reduces feelings of isolation after a limb loss. This social reinforcement supports mood, self-esteem, and adjustment to body image and functional changes, which are central to recovery and quality of life during this period.

Practically, after consent, the nurse can facilitate peer visits by coordinating schedules, preparing the patient and peers about respectful, supportive interactions, and ensuring the patient’s comfort and privacy. Keeping the lower body covered respects modesty, but alone it doesn’t address the need for social support. Placing the patient in a room by herself or restricting visitors can intensify isolation and hinder coping, which is why those options are less therapeutic.