The role of teaching in nursing care is to do what?

• A. Instruct The Patient And Family To Participate In Care
• B. Do Everything For The Patient
• C. Rely On Medical Orders Only
• D. Teach Only When Asked

Answer: (A)

Teaching in nursing focuses on empowering patients and families to participate in care. Nurses assess what the patient and family already know, what they need to learn, and how best to communicate it—accounting for language, culture, and health literacy. The goal is for them to perform self-care tasks correctly, recognize warning signs, manage medications, and participate in decisions about treatment. When education is woven into every care interaction, it helps prevent issues, improves adherence, and leads to better outcomes and satisfaction after discharge.

The best choice reflects this active, collaborative role: instructing the patient and family to participate in care because it promotes autonomy, safety, and effective self-management rather than doing everything for the patient, relying only on medical orders, or teaching only when asked.