A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has diabetes mellitus. The nurse provides education on self-care measures, such as blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, diet, exercise, and foot care. Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates effective communication?

Correct answer: B) Face the client directly and maintain eye contact.

Rationale: The nurse should face the client directly and maintain eye contact when communicating with a client who has a hearing impairment, as this allows the client to read the nurse's lips and observe nonverbal cues. The nurse should also speak clearly and at a normal pace, and avoid covering the mouth or chewing gum.

Incorrect options:

A) Speak loudly and slowly. - This is an incorrect action, as speaking loudly and slowly can distort the sound and make it harder for the client to understand. It can also be perceived as patronizing or disrespectful by the client.

C) Use gestures and facial expressions to emphasize key points. - This is an incorrect action, as gestures and facial expressions can be ambiguous or misleading, and may not convey the intended message. The nurse should use simple and concrete language, and avoid using idioms, slang, or jargon.

D) Repeat the same information using different words if the client does not understand. - This is an incorrect action, as repeating the same information using different words can confuse the client and increase frustration. The nurse should ask the client to repeat back what they understood, and clarify any misunderstandings.

Correct answer: C) Use visual aids and demonstrations to illustrate key points.

Rationale: The nurse should use visual aids and demonstrations to illustrate key points when providing discharge instructions to a client who has COPD, as this enhances communication and learning by appealing to different learning styles, reinforcing verbal information, and making complex concepts more understandable. Visual aids and demonstrations can include diagrams, pictures, models, or videos that help the client visualize proper breathing techniques, use of oxygen therapy, medication administration, smoking cessation strategies, healthy nutrition choices, and infection prevention measures.

Incorrect options:

A) Use medical terminology and abbreviations to explain complex concepts. - This is not an effective technique, as using medical terminology and abbreviations can confuse the client and hinder their understanding. The nurse should use simple and clear language, avoiding jargon and technical terms, to ensure the client comprehends the information.

B) Provide all the information at once to avoid overwhelming the client. - Providing all the information at once can overwhelm the client and make it difficult for them to retain and understand the instructions. It is better to break down the information into manageable chunks and provide it in a step-by-step manner to promote comprehension and learning.

D) Ask closed-ended questions to assess the client's understanding. - Closed-ended questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" may not provide a comprehensive assessment of the client's understanding. Open-ended questions that encourage the client to express their understanding and ask for clarification or elaboration are more effective in assessing comprehension and facilitating communication.