A hospice nurse is visiting with the son of a client who has terminal cancer.

The son reports sleeping very little during the past week due to caring for his mother.

Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

The correct answer is choice B. Determine the client’s knowledge about diaphragm use. This is the first action the nurse should take because it allows the nurse to assess the client’s readiness to learn, identify any knowledge gaps, and tailor the teaching to the client’s needs.

Some of the other choices are wrong because:

• Choice A. Supervise return demonstration of diaphragm use.

This is not the first action the nurse should take because it assumes that the client already knows how to use the diaphragm correctly and safely. The nurse should first teach the client how to insert, remove, and care for the diaphragm before asking for a return demonstration.

• Choice C. Document the client’s level of understanding about potential adverse effects.

This is not the first action the nurse should take because it is part of the evaluation phase of teaching, not the assessment phase. The nurse should first determine what the client knows and needs to know about diaphragm use and its possible risks and benefits.

• Choice D. Teach the client how to insert the diaphragm.

This is not the first action the nurse should take because it is part of the implementation phase of teaching, not the assessment phase. The nurse should first assess the client’s knowledge, motivation, and preferences before providing instruction on how to use the diaphragm.

A contraceptive diaphragm is a birth control device that prevents sperm from entering the uterus.

It is a small, soft silicone or rubber cup with a flexible rim that covers the cervix.

It is inserted into the vagina with spermicide before sex and is held in place by the pelvic muscles. It is a reusable type of contraception that women can use to avoid getting pregnant.

The correct answer is choice B. Using an electronic messaging system to remind clients when to take medications. Tertiary prevention in healthcare involves measures taken to reduce the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. This is done by helping people manage long-term, often-complex health problems and injuries in order to improve as much as possible their ability to function, their quality of life, and their life expectancy. In the context of an HIV clinic, reminding clients to take their medications can help manage the disease effectively and prevent complications.

Choice A rationale:

Educating clients about contraindications to specific immunizations is incorrect because this is more aligned with primary prevention, which aims to prevent the onset of an illness or injury before the disease process begins.

Choice C rationale:

Providing clients with information about the benefits of exercise is incorrect as this is generally considered a part of primary prevention, promoting general health to prevent various diseases.

Choice D rationale:

Helping clients understand health screenings covered by their insurance plans is incorrect because this is typically associated with secondary prevention, which involves screening to identify diseases in the earliest stages.