The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes.The patient tells the nurse,"After searching the Internet,I found out that I don't need insulin.All I need to do to control blood sugar is drink a mixture of vinegar and apple juice." What teaching should the nurse provide?

A) Show the patient how to choose reputable, trustworthy healthcare Web sites.
B) Instruct on the importance of adhering to the prescriber's instructions.
C) Inform the patient that the healthcare provider is always right and should be trusted.
D) Return to the Web site to obtain more detailed information.

Not all information available on the Internet is reliable.The nurse should teach the patient how to search authority sources,professional organization Web sites,nursing literature databases,and key government guidelines for trustworthy information.Although following the prescriber's instructions is important,if the patient believes the mixture of vinegar and apple juice will prevent needing daily injections of insulin,he will be unlikely to follow the prescriber's instructions.Saying the healthcare provider is always right is patronizing and does not promote the patient's active participation in his own healthcare.The information the patient obtained from the Web site is not reliable and is not suitable heath advice.