The nurse is caring for a patient with HIV who is known to have infected others due to unsafe sexual practices. What is the nurse's priority action to advocate for this client and others with whom he may have a relationship?
1. Teach the patient of the increased risk to his own health from sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Inform the patient that he can be sued or arrested for endangering the health of others.
3. Explore the patient's knowledge of safer sexual practices and help him find methods that work for him.
4. Report his behavior to the public health department for follow-up as needed.
ANS: 3
Exploring what the patient knows is the first priority, because the nurse cannot understand the patient's behavior without understanding why the patient acts as he does.
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