What is the correct sequence of steps for a home health nurse's initial visit?

The correct sequence begins with contacting the family, as this is essential for establishing communication and rapport before undertaking the assessment. Clarifying the referral follows, allowing the nurse to understand the specific reasons and context for the visit, which helps in tailoring the care plan to the patient's needs.

Next, identifying the needs of the patient is crucial, as it informs the nurse about the immediate concerns and provides a framework for the assessment. This step is integral to developing appropriate care strategies and ensuring that all relevant issues are addressed.

After identifying these needs, recording information becomes necessary to document the findings accurately, which contributes to ongoing assessment and care continuity. Finally, discussing future visits is vital for planning out the ongoing care and ensuring that both the nurse and the family have aligned expectations for follow-up and additional services.

This logical flow is designed to build a foundation for effective nursing care in the home health setting. The other options disrupt this critical order, which could lead to inadequate understanding of the patient's situation and ineffective planning for their care.