The nurse is preparing to teach a 43-year-old man who is newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes about home management of the disease. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient’s perception of what it means to have diabetes mellitus. This is the first step because understanding the patient's perception allows the nurse to tailor education to address any misconceptions or concerns. It helps establish a baseline of the patient's knowledge and beliefs about diabetes, enabling the nurse to provide accurate and relevant information.
Option A is incorrect as involving the family should come after assessing the patient's individual understanding and needs. Option C is incorrect as demonstrating blood glucose monitoring should follow assessing the patient's perception to ensure relevance. Option D is incorrect as discussing active participation should also come after assessing the patient's perception to ensure the information is personalized and effective.