Questions: A 60-year-old patient reports, "I stopped taking my medication shortly after it became unsafe for me to drive because of my health problems." Which nursing action is the most appropriate? - Having the patient sign a release form to protect against malpractice lawsuits - Questioning the patient about difficulty obtaining the medication - Contacting the appropriate license-issuing department to request that the patient's license be reissued - Making a note in the patient's chart that the patient was "nonadherent" with medication instructions

The answer is questioning the patient about difficulty obtaining the medication.

This option is not appropriate because it does not address the underlying issue of why the patient stopped taking their medication. It focuses on legal protection rather than patient care.

This is the most appropriate action. It directly addresses the patient's statement and seeks to understand the reasons behind their nonadherence. By questioning the patient, the nurse can identify potential barriers to medication adherence, such as difficulty obtaining the medication, side effects, or misunderstanding of the medication's importance. This information is crucial for developing a plan to support the patient in managing their health.

This option is not appropriate because it does not address the patient's medication adherence issue. The patient's ability to drive is a separate concern and should be handled through proper medical and legal channels, but it is not the immediate priority in this context.

While documenting nonadherence is important, it should not be the first action. The nurse should first understand the reasons behind the nonadherence and address any barriers the patient may be facing. Simply noting nonadherence without further investigation does not help in resolving the issue.