A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oxygen at 7 L/min via a simple face mask. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure client safety?

The correct answer is choice B: Ask the client what they already know about meal planning.

Choice A rationale:

Using pictures of different food groups can be helpful in teaching about carbohydrate counting, but it's important to assess the client's current knowledge and understanding before introducing new information. Starting with this approach might overwhelm the client or duplicate information they already possess.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct choice. Before providing education, it's crucial to assess the client's baseline knowledge. By asking the client what they already know about meal planning, the nurse can tailor the teaching plan to fill in any gaps and avoid presenting redundant information. This approach respects the client's current understanding and focuses on addressing their specific needs.

Choice C rationale:

Giving the client a brochure with sample menus can be helpful once the nurse has assessed the client's knowledge and educational needs. However, providing the brochure as the first action might not be effective if the client already has some understanding of meal planning or if the brochure does not address the client's specific questions.

Choice D rationale:

Involving the family in the discussion of the client's meal plan is important for long-term support, but it shouldn't be the first action. First, the nurse should ensure that the client's own understanding and preferences are addressed before considering input from family members.

The correct answer is choice A. Ego integrity vs. despair.

Choice A rationale:

Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development outlines various stages of development that individuals go through across their lifespan. In the final stage, which occurs in late adulthood, individuals either experience a sense of ego integrity or despair. Ego integrity is characterized by a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction with one's life choices, while despair is marked by feelings of regret and a sense of unfulfillment. The older adult client expressing that their life has no purpose suggests a struggle with finding meaning and satisfaction, aligning with the ego integrity vs. despair stage.

Choice B rationale:

Generativity vs. self-absorption is a stage that occurs during middle adulthood. It involves concerns about contributing to society and the next generation. This stage is not applicable to the scenario described with an older adult who is grappling with a lack of purpose in life.

Choice C rationale:

Identity vs. role confusion is a stage that occurs during adolescence, where individuals explore their sense of self and develop their identities. This stage is not relevant to the older adult client's situation of feeling purposeless.

Choice D rationale:

Intimacy vs. isolation is a stage that typically occurs during young adulthood, where individuals seek close and meaningful relationships with others. This stage is not appropriate for the older adult's feelings of lacking purpose.