A nurse is planning preoperative care for a client who will undergo surgery. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse?

Choice A reason: Discussing family assistance for postoperative care is important for discharge planning but not the priority preoperatively. Understanding the client’s knowledge ensures informed consent and addresses immediate educational needs, making this choice secondary. Choice B reason: Determining the client’s knowledge about the surgery is the priority, as it ensures informed consent, a legal and ethical requirement. It identifies misconceptions, reduces anxiety, and promotes compliance, directly impacting surgical preparation, making this the correct choice. Choice C reason: Reviewing the home environment is relevant for discharge planning, not preoperative care. It does not address immediate surgical preparation needs like understanding the procedure, making this choice less urgent than assessing knowledge. Choice D reason: Identifying coping mechanisms supports emotional preparation but is not the priority. Ensuring the client understands the surgery is critical for consent and cooperation, making this choice secondary to assessing their knowledge.