A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Data collection:

Data collection is the initial step of the nursing process where the nurse gathers information about the client's health status, including physical, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual factors. While data collection is essential for planning, in this scenario, the nurse is already involved in the collaborative process of preparing a discharge plan, indicating the phase of planning.

B. Planning:

Planning involves developing a comprehensive plan of care based on the assessment data collected. It includes setting priorities, establishing goals, identifying interventions, and coordinating resources to meet the client's needs. In this scenario, the nurse, social worker, and physical therapist are working together to plan the client's discharge, which involves determining the appropriate support, resources, and interventions needed for a successful transition.

C. Evaluation:

Evaluation occurs after implementation, where the nurse assesses the client's response to the interventions implemented and determines whether the goals and outcomes have been achieved. While evaluation is an essential part of the nursing process, it occurs after planning and implementation.

D. Implementation:

Implementation involves carrying out the plan of care developed during the planning phase. It includes initiating interventions, providing treatments, and coordinating care to meet the client's needs. In this scenario, the nurse, social worker, and physical therapist are in the process of developing the discharge plan, which precedes implementation.

(A) Swallow the tablet whole with an 8 oz glass of water.
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets should not be swallowed. They need to be placed under the tongue where they can dissolve and be absorbed quickly to provide rapid relief from angina.

(B) Store the medication in a pill box at the bedside.
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be stored in their original container and kept tightly closed to protect them from light and moisture. Storing them in a pill box at the bedside could lead to degradation of the medication.

(C) Take the medication at the first indication of chest pain.
This is the correct instruction. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be taken at the first sign of chest pain to provide prompt relief. The rapid onset of action helps to alleviate angina symptoms quickly.

(D) Remove the nitroglycerine patch before taking the sublingual tablet.
It is not necessary to remove the nitroglycerin patch before taking a sublingual tablet. The two forms of nitroglycerin can be used together, as the patch provides a continuous dose while the sublingual tablet offers rapid relief of acute symptoms.