The nurse knows that the greatest internal factor to consider when edu

The nurse knows that the greatest internal factor to consider when educating an adult client con-cerning health promotion activities is the client’s:

1. Emotional wellness
2. Developmental stage
3. Professed spirituality
4. Intellectual background

ANSWER

ANS: 4
A person’s beliefs about health are shaped in part by the person’s knowledge, lack of knowledge, or incorrect information about body functions and illnesses; educational background; and past experiences. These variables influence how a client thinks about health. In addition, cognitive abilities shape the way a person thinks, including the ability to understand factors involved in illness and to apply knowledge of health and illness to personal health practices. The client’s abil-ity to understand and accept the importance of the teaching is the primary nursing consideration.
The client’s degree of stress, depression, or fear, for example, can influence health beliefs and practices. The manner in which a person handles stress throughout each phase of life will influ-ence the way the person reacts to illness, but this option is not the best choice available.
A person’s thought and behavior patterns change throughout life. The nurse must consider the client’s level of growth and development when using his or her health beliefs and practices as a basis for planning care, but the client has been identified as being adult and so the developmental stage has been determined.
Spirituality is reflected in how a person lives his or her life, including the values and beliefs exer-cised, the relationships established with family and friends, and the ability to find hope and meaning in life. However, this is not the best option available.