The medical assistant performs patient preoperative education for Mrs. Franklin, who is scheduled for exploratory surgery to find the cause for abnormal lab results and her extreme pain. After explaining the surgery to her, the MA asks if she has any questions; she says, "What exactly do they expect to find? Is it bad?" How should the MA respond?
a) By reassuring her that the medical team is experienced and will prioritize her well-being
b) By providing detailed statistics about the success rates of similar surgeries
c) By emphasizing the potential risks and complications of the surgery
d) By suggesting alternative treatment options before proceeding with surgery