While administering prescription medications to an older resident in an extended care facility, the practical nurse (PN) notices that the client is having difficulty hearing. What action is most important for the PN to take?

A. Speak louder so the client can hear the conversation: Raising the voice may distort sounds and make speech harder to understand, especially for those with sensorineural hearing loss. It can also be perceived as shouting, which may cause discomfort or embarrassment for the client. B. Determine if the client has had difficulty hearing in the past: Assessing whether the hearing difficulty is new or chronic is the most important initial step. This helps identify if the issue is due to a reversible cause, such as earwax buildup, or if accommodations, like hearing aids or alternative communication methods, are needed. C. Encourage the client to read the practical nurse’s lips: While lip-reading can assist communication, it should not be the first approach before determining the cause and extent of the hearing problem. Some clients may also have visual impairments that limit this strategy. D. Provide written instructions about how to take medications: Written instructions are useful for clients with known hearing loss, but they should be supplemented with an assessment first to ensure comprehension and to tailor the communication method appropriately.