Denial in myocardial infarction patients

Since nurses are the health professionals who have the closest and most frequent contact with patients, they are in the best position to assist the MI patient with management of denial. It is important for nurses to recognize the manifestations of denial and then be able to assess the amount that denial accelerates or impedes the patient's progress toward regained health. With this increased awareness, nurses become the major influence in helping the MI patient recover psychologically as well as physically.