The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client prior to a scheduled cholecystectomy. While interviewing the client, which assessment technique should the nurse use when asking about the client's use of illegal drugs and alcohol?

A. Obtain a drug urine screen to verify the legitimacy of the client's stated history. This may be necessary but is not the initial approach for obtaining a health history. B. Use the term illegal or illicit to describe street drugs. Using stigmatizing terms may make the client uncomfortable and less likely to disclose information. C. Allow the client to decline answering social questions. The nurse should encourage open communication, but also respect the client's right to privacy. D. Ask specifically about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and amounts. This is the correct approach. Specific questions about substances and quantities help obtain accurate information.