Final answer:
The phrase 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' means not assuming or expecting something to happen before it actually does.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse intends to assess the patient's understanding of a common idiom. The phrase 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' means that you shouldn't assume or expect something to happen before it actually does. It is a cautionary expression advising against premature and excessive optimism. For example, if someone says they will win a race before it even starts, they would be counting their chickens before they hatch.
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