What is the best way for the practical nurse to evaluate a patient’s ability to care for an incision before discharge?

What is the best way for the practical nurse to evaluate a patient’s ability to care for an incision before discharge?

• A. Have him explain how to care for the incision.
• B. Have him demonstrate how to care for the incision.
• C. Ask him questions based on the instructional DVD he has viewed.
• D. Ask him if he has any questions about the care of his incision.

Answer: (B)

Demonstrating how to care for the incision provides the best evidence of the patient’s ability to perform home wound care. When the patient performs the actual dressing change and cleaning steps, the nurse can observe technique, aseptic technique, sequence of actions, use of supplies, and ability to manage basic care tasks. This hands-on demonstration also allows immediate correction of any errors and confirms the patient can handle care safely at home, which directly affects infection risk and healing. Verbal explanations or recalling information from a DVD or answering questions about care don’t reliably show whether the patient can perform the skill correctly. They assess understanding or memory but not actual ability. Therefore, a return demonstration best determines discharge readiness.

Demonstrating how to care for the incision provides the best evidence of the patient’s ability to perform home wound care. When the patient performs the actual dressing change and cleaning steps, the nurse can observe technique, aseptic technique, sequence of actions, use of supplies, and ability to manage basic care tasks. This hands-on demonstration also allows immediate correction of any errors and confirms the patient can handle care safely at home, which directly affects infection risk and healing.

Verbal explanations or recalling information from a DVD or answering questions about care don’t reliably show whether the patient can perform the skill correctly. They assess understanding or memory but not actual ability. Therefore, a return demonstration best determines discharge readiness.