A patient being treated for an MI has been transferred to a step-down unit from the intensive care unit. She uses the call bell as often as every 15 minutes. Each time a staff member responds, the patient complains about her care or makes a seemingly small request. Several staff tell the primary nurse that the patient is "obnoxious" and that they feel inadequate because they can never seem to satisfy her needs. The primary nurse can be most helpful by:
a. explaining that the demanding behavior is due to the patient's increasing anxiety.
b. "laying down the law" to the patient, limiting use of the call light to once per hour.
c. rotating caregivers to give each person a much-needed respite from her complaints.
d. asking the patient's family to sit with her and help meet her need for attention.
Answer: A