As part of an anti-smoking campaign, a school nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about the negative health effects of smoking tobacco. Which of the following strategies is the nurse using?

A. Develop content appropriate to learner needs: Developing content is a subsequent step. To create truly appropriate content, the nurse first needs to understand what the target audience (young adults) already knows, what their misconceptions are, and what specific information they need and are interested in.

B. Arrange for computer-assisted learning: This is a strategy for delivering the education but not the first step. It should come after identifying learner needs and planning content accordingly to ensure effectiveness.

C. Collect data to identify learners' current knowledge base: This is the first and most critical step. A needs assessment allows the nurse to tailor the program to the audience’s existing knowledge, misconceptions, and educational requirements, ensuring that the intervention is relevant and impactful.

D. Identify topics with health department nurses: Consulting other professionals is helpful, but the initial step should focus directly on the target learners to ensure the program meets their specific needs.

A. Refer the clients for financial assistance to receive medications: While financial support is important for accessing treatment, it is not the immediate priority during an active outbreak. The nurse must first assess the scope and potential cause of the diarrhea to prevent further spread and guide appropriate interventions.

B. Arrange for the clients to see a health care provider: Medical evaluation is essential, especially if symptoms worsen or complications arise. However, this step should follow a thorough assessment of exposure to identify patterns, potential sources, and the need for urgent containment or broader screening efforts.

C. Provide teaching about hand washing for the clients: Hand hygiene is critical in preventing the transmission of infectious diarrhea. However, client education should come after identifying the exposure route to ensure teaching is targeted and effective in addressing the specific mode of transmission.

D. Obtain an individual client exposure history: The nurse’s first priority should be to gather detailed information about each client's symptoms, recent meals, travel, and contacts. This assessment helps identify common exposures, guides immediate containment efforts, and directs appropriate medical or public health responses to control a potential outbreak.