A patient asks a nurse aide a medical question about their condition. The aide does not know the answer. What should the aide do?

Question

Accepted Answer

Honestly tell the patient they don't know and refer them to the nurse. Honestly admitting knowledge limits and referring to the nurse is the professional and ethical response. Guessing (A) can misinform the patient. Dismissing concerns (B) is disrespectful. Avoiding the question (D) is evasive and unhelpful.