During a health history, the nurse learns that a client has a recent onset of impotence. Which question will help identify a potential cause of this manifestation?

Question

A) "Does this occur often?"
B) "For what diseases and disorders have you been treated?"
C) "Are you on any medications?"
D) "How does your partner feel about this problem?"

Answer 1

Answer: B

A client's health history can provide clues to the underlying cause of impotence. The question "for what diseases and disorders have you been treated" would provide the nurse with information as to possible causes for the recent onset of the disorder. Asking the client if the impotence occurs often will not help identify the cause of the problem. Asking the client how the partner feels about the problem also will not help identify a possible cause. The question "are you on any medication?" would be beneficial to ask; however, it should be an open-ended question and not a closed-ended question as identified. The nurse should ask the client to "list any medications" instead of asking "are you on any medication?" which could be answered with a yes or no.