Which situation indicates to the nurse that the patient is ready to learn?

Question

a. A patient has sufficient upper body strength to move from a bed to a wheelchair.
b. A patient has the ability to grasp and apply the elastic bandage.
c. A patient with a below-the-knee amputation is motivated about how to walk with assistive devices.
d. A patient has normal eyesight to identify the markings on a syringe and coordination to handle a syringe.

Answer 1

C
Motivation or readiness to learn sometimes results from social task mastery, or physical motives may be involved. Often patient motives are physical. Some patients are motivated to return to a level of physical normalcy. For example, a patient with a below-the-knee amputation is motivated to learn how to walk with assistive devices. Do not confuse readiness to learn with ability to learn. All the other answers are examples of ability to learn because this often depends on the patient's level of physical development and overall physical health. To learn psychomotor skills, a patient needs to possess a certain level of strength, coordination, and sensory acuity. For example, it is useless to teach a patient to transfer from a bed to a wheelchair if he or she has insufficient upper body strength. An older patient with poor eyesight or an inability to grasp objects tightly cannot learn to apply an elastic bandage or handle a syringe.