A nurse is using the domains of learning to provide teaching to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to utilize psychomotor learning?

Rationale

A. Replace the NPWT dressing every 12 hours: NPWT dressings are typically changed every 48–72 hours, or sooner if the dressing is saturated or malfunctioning. Changing the dressing every 12 hours is excessive and can disrupt wound healing and increase infection risk.

B. Allow the wound to be open to air at least once per shift: Negative-pressure wound therapy requires a sealed environment to maintain suction and promote healing. Exposing the wound to air would compromise negative pressure, delay healing, and increase infection risk.

C. Shave the skin around the wound prior to applying the wound therapy device: Shaving can cause microabrasions and increase the risk of infection. Hair should be gently trimmed if necessary, but shaving is not recommended prior to applying NPWT dressings.

D. If client reports pain, decrease the suction to 75 mm Hg: Pain during NPWT can occur if suction pressure is too high. Reducing suction to 75 mm Hg helps minimize discomfort while maintaining therapeutic negative pressure. Adjusting suction appropriately promotes client comfort and adherence to therapy.

Rationale

A. Make a priority list of information the client should learn: Creating a priority list is important for organizing teaching content, but it should follow an assessment of the client’s specific learning needs. Prioritization without understanding the client’s knowledge gaps may result in irrelevant or ineffective teaching.

B. Determine the client's learning needs: Assessing the client’s learning needs is the first step in planning effective education. This allows the nurse to identify what the client already knows, what they need to learn, and any barriers to learning, ensuring that subsequent teaching is individualized and relevant.

C. Select a visual method to reinforce verbal teaching for the client: Choosing teaching methods is important for reinforcing learning, but it should be done after determining the client’s needs and preferred learning style. Methods are most effective when tailored to the client’s assessed needs.

D. Obtain written information to give the client: Providing written materials supports retention and understanding, but it should follow an assessment of the client’s needs to ensure the content is appropriate and comprehensible. Giving generic materials without assessment may not address the client’s specific concerns.