A nurse is implementing a bladder training program for a client who had a stroke. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take first?

The correct answer is A. Clean the wound from the center to the outer edges.

Rationale: The nurse should clean the wound from the center to the outer edges to prevent contamination of the wound bed by bacteria or debris from the surrounding skin. The nurse should wear clean gloves, not sterile gloves, to remove the dressing, as wet-to-dry dressings are not sterile and do not require a sterile technique.

The nurse should remove the tape by pulling parallel to and away from the skin, not from the center of the dressing, to minimize skin damage and pain. The nurse should not moisten the dressing before removal, as this would defeat the purpose of wet-to-dry dressings, which are intended to debride necrotic tissue by adhering to it and pulling it off when dry.

Choice A reason:

Determine previous coping skills used by the client is not appropriate. Assessing the client's previous coping skills is an essential step in the assessment phase of the therapeutic relationship, not specifically during the orientation phase. This information helps the nurse to understand the client's coping mechanisms and identify potential areas for improvement or support.

Choice B reason:

Facilitate the client's problem-solving skills is not appropriate the nurse may work on facilitating the client's problem-solving skills throughout the therapeutic relationship, including during the working phase. During this phase, the nurse and client collaborate to explore and address the client's concerns and challenges.

Choice C reason:

Assisting the client in expressing alternative behaviours is not appropriate. This action may also be part of the working phase, where the nurse helps the client explore alternative behaviours and coping strategies to address their issues and challenges.

Choice D reason:

The orientation phase is the initial stage of the therapeutic relationship where the nurse and the client get to know each other and establish the groundwork for their working relationship. During this phase, it is essential to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both the nurse and the client to ensure a clear understanding of each other's expectations.