A home health nurse is planning an initial home visit for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to perform first?

A. Encourage the client to participate in a diabetes mellitus support group: While support groups are beneficial for emotional support and ongoing education, this intervention is not the priority during the initial home visit. It is more appropriate once the client’s knowledge and self-care skills have been assessed. B. Determine the client's level of health literacy: Assessing health literacy is the first priority because it guides the nurse in tailoring education and interventions. Understanding the client’s ability to comprehend and apply health information ensures that teaching about diabetes management, such as glucose monitoring and medication administration, is effective and safe. C. Verify the client's comfort level regarding how to use a glucometer: Ensuring the client can correctly use a glucometer is important, but this step should follow the assessment of health literacy. Tailoring instruction to the client’s literacy level improves comprehension and accuracy in self-monitoring. D. Provide low-carbohydrate recipes for the client: Providing dietary resources supports diabetes management but is secondary to assessing the client’s understanding and ability to implement self-care. Without first evaluating literacy and comprehension, these resources may not be effectively utilized.