Which areas should the nurse teach a dark-skinned client to inspect regularly for skin cancer like melanoma?

Palms, soles and nails.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can develop in any color skin, including dark or black skin.

However, melanoma on dark skin is not related to sun exposure and can start in places that get little sun. That includes the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, nails, and inside your mouth, anal, and genital areas.

Choice A is wrong because eyes, ears, lips, and scalp are not common areas for melanoma in people of color.

Choice C is wrong because head, neck and trunk are more likely to be affected by sun exposure and other types of skin cancer than melanoma in people of color.

Choice D is wrong because lower legs and back are also more exposed to sun and other types of skin cancer than melanoma in people of color.

The nurse should use clarifying points made by the patient that are unclear and listening attentively while speaking slowly and clearly as communication techniques when performing a health history.

These techniques help the nurse to gather accurate and comprehensive information from the patient and to establish rapport and trust.

Choice A is wrong because avoiding silences can make the patient feel rushed or interrupted. Silences can be useful to allow the patient to think or express emotions.

Choice D is wrong because sitting approximately two feet away from the client may be too close and invade the personal space of the client. The nurse should maintain a comfortable distance of about 4 to 5 feet from the client, depending on the cultural norms and preferences of the client.

Choice E is wrong because asking the family member to complete the written form may not reflect the true health history of the client. The nurse should obtain the information directly from the client whenever possible, unless the client is unable or unwilling to provide it.