A nurse is teaching a client about a dressing change that should be done twice a day, and the client is from a culture that is "present oriented."

Question

The nurse should instruct the client to perform the dressing change at which of the following times? 1. At times that the client selects, as long as they are twelve hours apart
2. After breakfast and before going to bed
3. At 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
4. Whenever the client chooses, as long as it gets done twice daily

Answer 1

2. After breakfast and before going to bed

Rationale:
For clients who are "present oriented," it is important to avoid fixed schedules. The nurse can offer a time range for activities and treatments, such as in the morning or after breakfast, and in the evening or before going to bed. It is not necessary for the dressing changes to be twelve hours apart. Relating the dressing changes to regular daily activities would fit better with the client who is not focused on times of the day, such as 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Leaving it up to the client to do at any time so long as it is twice daily does not allow for any regularity in the dressing changes.