The nurse is performing discharge teaching for a patient who has had major abdominal surgery.
Which statement or question by the nurse would be appropriate?

Choice C rationale:

In this situation, the nurse should continue to teach the patient about his medications despite his disinterest. It is essential for the patient to be knowledgeable about his own medications, as he will be responsible for taking them once discharged. While involving family members in the teaching process can be beneficial, the primary responsibility lies with the patient. Documenting the patient's request is also important for the record, but it does not replace the need for the patient to be informed about his medications.

Choice A rationale:

Reminding the patient of his responsibility is a good initial approach, but it should be followed by continued teaching to ensure the patient understands his medications thoroughly.

Choice B rationale:

Documenting the patient's request is important, but it does not address the patient's lack of interest in learning about his medications. The nurse should still provide education to the patient.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the patient why his wife knows about his medications is confrontational and may not be well-received by the patient. It does not address the primary issue, which is the patient's disinterest in learning about his medications.

Choice A rationale:

In the SOAP format used for medical documentation, "P" stands for Plan. The "P" portion of the note includes the healthcare provider's plan for the patient, which may involve treatments, medications, or other interventions. Option A discusses the patient's ability to walk unassisted, feelings of safety while ambulating, and plans for discharge home in 3 days. This information represents the provider's plan for the patient's care and fits the "P" portion of the SOAP note.

Choice B rationale:

Option B describes the patient's physical examination findings related to range of motion and reflexes in the lower extremities. This information falls under the "Objective" section of the SOAP note, which includes observable and measurable data. While important for the overall patient assessment, it does not represent the provider's plan for the patient's care (the "P" portion of SOAP).