A nurse is caring for a client whose child died from cancer.
The client states, "It's hard to go on without him." Which of the following questions should the nurse ask the client first?

The correct answer is Choice B: Speak in a normal voice at a natural pace.

Choice A rationale: Directing statements to the interpreter is inappropriate because it can make the client feel excluded from the conversation. The focus of communication should be on the client, and the interpreter is present only to facilitate understanding between the nurse and the client. Direct eye contact and addressing the client directly is important for establishing rapport and trust.

Choice B rationale: Speaking in a normal voice at a natural pace is crucial when working with an interpreter to ensure accurate translation and comprehension. It provides the interpreter with enough time to accurately convey the message while maintaining a conversational flow. Speaking too fast or in an unnatural tone can create confusion and lead to misinterpretation, ultimately affecting the quality of care provided to the client.

Choice C rationale: Using gestures while speaking with the client may not be helpful when working with an interpreter. Gestures may be culturally specific and can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Furthermore, the interpreter may not be able to accurately convey the intended message through gestures, leading to communication errors.

Choice D rationale: Pausing in the middle of sentences is not recommended when working with an interpreter. This practice can disrupt the flow of the conversation, confuse the interpreter, and lead to incomplete translations. It is essential to speak in complete sentences and provide pauses between sentences to enable the interpreter to accurately translate the information to the client.

The correct answer is: b. Determine goals of the day.

Choice A: Schedule daily activities.

Rationale: Scheduling daily activities is crucial for time management but should follow establishing goals. The nurse must first determine the priorities and objectives for the day before organizing the tasks.

Choice B: Determine goals of the day.

Rationale: Identifying the goals of the day is the first step in effective time management for a nurse. This enables the nurse to prioritize patient care and other responsibilities, ensuring that essential tasks are accomplished and patient needs are met. Goals can include completing assessments, administering medications, and attending to patient concerns.

Choice C: Delegate tasks to the AP.

Rationale: Delegating tasks is vital in managing time and resources, but it should occur after the goals and priorities are determined. The nurse must first know which tasks need to be completed before assigning responsibilities to the LPN and AP.

Choice D: Develop an hourly time frame for tasks.

Rationale: Creating a timeline for tasks is essential for time management but should be done after setting goals and prioritizing tasks. This will enable the nurse to allocate an appropriate amount of time for each task and help ensure that all necessary tasks are completed within the shift.

In conclusion, by first determining the goals of the day, the nurse can effectively manage time and ensure that all essential tasks are completed. Prioritizing patient care and other responsibilities will enable the nurse to collaborate effectively with the LPN and AP in delegating tasks and scheduling activities.