The patient is receiving a beta-blocker medication. The nurse has done medication education and provided the patient with printed information to take home

Question

During the next appointment, the nurse notes that the patient is not taking the medication properly. What is a therapeutic assessment question to ask this patient?
1. "Do I have to inform your physician about your noncompliance?"
2. "Why didn't you take your medicine as we talked about?"
3. "Are you able to read and comprehend the printed information?"
4. "Don't you understand how important it is to take the medicine?"

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Up to 48% of English-speaking patients do not have functional literacy, a basic ability to read, understand, and act on health information. The nurse should ask the patient about the ability to read and understand printed information. Asking "why" questions put the patient on the defensive, and the nurse might not receive the most accurate answer. Being confrontational with a "don't you understand" question is as demeaning as asking a "why" question. It is inappropriate to involve the physician before the nurse assesses the reason for noncompliance; and this question is threatening.