What is a nurse’s best response when a patient asks to use their call light?

Encouraging a patient to use their call light anytime they need assistance is important for their safety and comfort. This response underscores the nurse's commitment to patient-centered care, emphasizing the importance of patient autonomy and communication. When patients feel empowered to request help as needed, they are more likely to experience a sense of security and support in their care environment. By promoting the use of the call light, the nurse helps to ensure that patients do not hesitate to seek help for concerns, whether they are related to pain, mobility, or any other need.

Ensuring that the call light is within reach is certainly important for facilitating use, as is being responsive to patients’ needs; however, merely placing the call light nearby does not directly encourage patients to utilize it actively. Moreover, advising against frequent use can create a barrier to seeking help and can potentially lead to negative outcomes for patients if they hesitate to call for assistance.