A nurse is collecting a health history from the guardian of a 4year old child. Which of the following statements by the guardian is the priority for the nurse to address?

A) Position the client’s head toward Mecca: In Islam, it is customary to position the deceased's body with the head facing toward Mecca, the holy city of Islam. This is an important religious practice and should be followed during postmortem care to respect the deceased's cultural and religious beliefs.

B) Allow a family member of the client to stay with the client’s body until burial: It is customary in many Islamic traditions for a family member to stay with the body, providing comfort and ensuring the body is treated with respect. However, the nurse should ensure this is done within the hospital's policies and in a safe, culturally sensitive manner. This practice should be respected, but it is not the immediate priority for the nurse during postmortem care.
C) Allow a family member to stay with the client’s body for 8hr: While some Islamic traditions may involve family members staying with the body, the nurse should adhere to the specific wishes of the family and the institution's policies. The 8-hour duration is not a specific religious requirement, and the focus should be on providing respectful, appropriate care and ensuring the family’s wishes are honored within the hospital's guidelines.

D) Position the client’s head northward: In Islamic traditions, the body is positioned with the head facing toward Mecca, not northward. Positioning the head in a direction other than toward Mecca would not align with the cultural practices of Islam regarding postmortem care. Therefore, this action would not be appropriate.

A) I’d like to hear your thoughts about giving yourself this medication:
This response encourages open communication and allows the client to express their concerns or fears. It shows empathy and provides an opportunity for the nurse to understand the reasons behind the refusal, which can help tailor the teaching approach. This is an effective way to build trust and involve the client in their care plan.

B) Have you considered how your decision to refuse medication will affect your family?
While this statement highlights the consequences of the client’s actions, it can feel judgmental or guilt-inducing, which may cause the client to become defensive. The nurse should aim to engage the client in a non-judgmental and supportive way rather than focusing on external consequences at this stage.

C) Why don’t you want to learn how to give yourself your medication?
This question could come across as confrontational and may make the client feel pressured or defensive. Instead of focusing directly on the refusal, the nurse should try to understand the client's perspective and barriers, which can be better achieved with a more open and empathetic approach like option A.

D) You will suffer serious health issues if you don’t take your medication:
This response may evoke fear and could be perceived as coercive. It focuses on the negative consequences without first understanding the client’s feelings or reasons for refusing. While the nurse should eventually address the importance of insulin, it’s more effective to first create an open dialogue that respects the client’s autonomy and concerns.