A community health nurse is conducting a home visit to assess an adult client with a chronic illness. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize to effectively evaluate the client's management of their chronic condition?

A. Developing and implementing a culturally competent health education program tailored to underserved populations to improve access to preventive services. This action aligns with Healthy People 2030’s goals to reduce health disparities by addressing cultural and linguistic needs while improving access to care, particularly preventive services. This demonstrates a proactive and equitable approach.

B. Prioritizing high-cost interventions for clients with advanced diseases while not addressing preventive care for at-risk populations. This approach does not align with Healthy People 2030’s focus on prevention and reducing health disparities. It emphasizes reactive care rather than addressing upstream factors that lead to disparities.

C. Providing standard health education materials to all clients without regard for their cultural, linguistic, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Providing standard materials without customization overlooks individual needs, perpetuating health disparities rather than addressing them.

D. Focusing only on individual client care in a clinic without considering social determinants of health that may affect the client's well-being. Social determinants of health are critical in reducing disparities, and neglecting these factors is inconsistent with Healthy People 2030’s objectives.

A. Determine the location of the pain. The nurse should first assess the client's pain, including its location, intensity, quality, and factors that alleviate or exacerbate it. This assessment is critical to determining the most appropriate intervention and evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment.

B. Reposition the client: Repositioning is a valid nursing intervention for managing pain caused by discomfort or poor positioning. However, it should not be the first action, as the nurse must first assess the pain to determine if repositioning alone is sufficient or if medication is necessary.

C. Review the effects of the pain medication: While reviewing the effects of the prescribed medication is important to ensure its appropriateness and safety, this step is part of preparation for medication administration. It is not the first action; assessment of the client's pain takes priority.

D. Administer the medication: Administering pain medication without assessing the client's pain is not appropriate. Pain management should be individualized, and assessment ensures that the prescribed medication is suitable for the client's current pain and condition.