ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The nurse's responsibility regarding patient education is to ensure that patients understand their medications and treatments. This encompasses a holistic approach to patient care, where effective communication and teaching are vital components of the nursing role. By ensuring patients comprehend their treatment plans, the nurse empowers them to take an active role in their healthcare, which can lead to better adherence to medications and improved health outcomes.

This responsibility involves assessing the patient’s knowledge level, addressing any misconceptions, and using various teaching methods tailored to the individual's learning preferences and needs, such as verbal explanations, demonstrations, or materials that enhance understanding. Proper patient education also encompasses discussions about potential side effects and recognizing symptoms that warrant further medical attention.

In this context, the other options do not align with the comprehensive responsibilities of a nurse. Providing only written materials lacks the personal interaction that is essential for effective learning and may not accommodate all patients' learning styles. Referring all questions to the physician does not fulfill the nurse's role in education; instead, nurses should be able to address many patient inquiries directly, creating a supportive environment that encourages questions and understanding. Lastly, providing the least amount of information undermines patient empowerment; adequate knowledge fosters a sense of control and encourages open communication between the patient and healthcare team.