The patient is receiving a beta-blocker medication. The nurse has ...

[stevenposner]

The patient is receiving a beta-blocker medication. The nurse has done medication education and provided the patient with printed information to take home.
 
  During the next appointment, the nurse notes that the patient is not taking the medication properly. What is a therapeutic assessment question to ask this patient?
  1. Do I have to inform your physician about your noncompliance?
  2. Why didn't you take your medicine as we talked about?
  3. Are you able to read and comprehend the printed information?
  4. Don't you understand how important it is to take the medicine?

Question 2

The African American patient had a myocardial infarction and is receiving atorvastatin (Lipitor). The nurse caring for the patient is Caucasian. The nurse assesses the patient's diet to be very high in fat.
 
  What is the best plan by the nurse to improve the patient's diet and reduce the risk for additional medications?
  1. With the patient's permission, plan to ask an African American nurse to speak to him about a low-fat diet.
  2. With the patient's permission, plan to discuss his diet with whomever prepares meals for his family.
  3. Plan to give the patient information specific to African Americans about low-fat diets.
  4. Plan to ask the physician for a consult by dietary services so a dietician can teach the patient about low-fat diets.

[yotaSR5]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Up to 48 of English-speaking patients do not have functional literacy, a basic ability to read, understand, and act on health information. The nurse should ask the patient about the ability to read and understand printed information. Asking why questions put the patient on the defensive, and the nurse might not receive the most accurate answer. Being confrontational with a don't you understand question is as demeaning as asking a why question. It is inappropriate to involve the physician before the nurse assesses the reason for noncompliance; and this question is threatening.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Every culture has culture-specific diets; the nurse must include the person in the family who does the meal preparation if a different diet is to be successful. Asking the patient about having an African American nurse speak to him is racist and implies that a Caucasian nurse cannot understand the dietary needs of an African American patient. At this point, a consult by dietary services is premature. Providing information is a good idea, but the nurse must also teach the patient.

[stevenposner]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[vickyvicksss]

Great answer, keep it coming