A nurse is preparing to provide discharge teaching for an adolescent who has a cognitive disorder and their parents.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

Guiding the client away from background noise is a helpful suggestion for a client with hearing loss, but in the context of reviewing discharge instructions, it may not be sufficient. The primary issue is not background noise but the ability of the client to hear and understand the nurse's instructions.

Choice B rationale:

Providing a copy of the instructions printed in Braille is not appropriate for a client with hearing loss. Braille is a tactile reading and writing system for people who are blind or visually impaired. It does not address the client's hearing loss.

Choice C rationale:

Standing next to the client when speaking is the most appropriate action for a nurse when reviewing discharge instructions with a client who has hearing loss. This allows the client to see the nurse's facial expressions, lip movements, and gestures, which can aid in understanding. It also minimizes the distance between the nurse's mouth and the client's ears, making it easier for the client to hear.

Choice D rationale:

While repeating phrases that the client misunderstands is a helpful communication strategy, it should be used in conjunction with standing close to the client, not as the sole method. Standing close and speaking clearly should be the primary approach to facilitate effective communication with a client who has hearing loss.

The correct answers are a. Client's hearing deficit, b. Volume of the client's television, c. Numerous visitors in the client's room, e. Adverse effects of opioid analgesic, and f. Using earphones while listening to music.

Choice A rationale: A client with hearing loss who does not wear a hearing aid may experience difficulty understanding spoken communication, especially in noisy environments, leading to potential miscommunication or misunderstanding.

Choice B rationale: Loud television volume can make it difficult for both the nurse and the client to hear each other, causing interference in their communication and potentially leading to errors in information exchange.

Choice C rationale: The presence of numerous visitors in the room can cause distractions, background noise, and overall interference with the nurse-client communication process, potentially affecting the quality and accuracy of the information exchanged.

Choice E rationale: Opioid analgesics can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, or cognitive impairment, hindering effective communication between the nurse and the client, as the client's ability to comprehend, retain, and convey information may be impaired.

Choice F rationale: The use of earphones while listening to music can impair the client's ability to hear the nurse, creating a barrier to effective communication. This could potentially lead to missed or misunderstood information and, consequently, affect the quality of care.

Choice D rationale (Incorrect choice): While an increase in pain after ambulation could affect the client's mood, cooperation, and ability to engage in effective communication, it does not directly create a barrier to the nurse's ability to communicate with the client. Pain management is an essential aspect of postoperative care, and effective communication can actually facilitate pain assessment, management, and overall client well-being.