A client asks the nurse about her medications and tells the nurse she

A client asks the nurse about her medications and tells the nurse she has been investigating on the Internet. The nurse’s best response to this is:

1. “I’m glad you’re interested in your therapy.”
2. “Information on the Internet cannot be trusted. You should check with your pharmacist.”
3. “Your physician is the one you should be asking these kinds of questions.”
4. “Let’s look at some of the sites you’ve been visiting.”

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: While being involved in one’s care is desirable, there are concerns related to information assessed on the internet.
Rationale 2: This statement is not necessarily true although there are concerns about information assessed on the internet.
Rationale 3: While this statement isn’t incorrect the client should be able to assess reliable information in order to be well informed.
Rationale 4: Thousands of health-related sites exist on the Internet, new ones occurring daily. There are no controls to ensure that information provided on these sites is accurate. Therefore, the nurse should help the client find reliable and accurate information. Clients are involved consumers. Wanting more information about their medications, disease processes, and treatment options is taking a proactive approach to their care. It is appropriate to ask questions and seek information at a variety of sources. However, nurses must assist clients in making sure the information they gather is credible and accurate.