Author Question: An older adult client experiences an extended hospitalization due to a chronic illness. The client ... (Read 87 times)

melly21297 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

An older adult client experiences an extended hospitalization due to a chronic illness. The client states to the nurse, I don't know how I can pay for this hospital stay and afford all of the new medication that I have been prescribed.

Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A) I'll have someone from the business office come and talk to you about your bill.
B) You need to focus on recovering and stop worrying about money.
C) Much of your care will be covered by Medicare.
D) Don't worry. I'm sure everything will work out okay.

Question 2

A client is receiving care in the hospital for life-threatening injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash and is taken immediately to surgery.

There is no family available to provide consent; however, the client's medical record is available and reviewed by the nurse. Which treatments are inappropriate in this situation?
Select all that apply.
A) Emergency surgery
B) Treatment that was previously refused
C) Treatment that violates religious beliefs
D) Medications to treat the injury
E) Experimental medications for a research study

jsm54321 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: C

The Medicare amendment to the Social Security Act provided a national and state health insurance program for older adults. By the mid-1970s, virtually everyone over 65 years of age was protected by hospital insurance under Part A. In 1988, Congress expanded Medicare to include extremely expensive hospital care, catastrophic care, and expensive drugs. Ignoring the client's concerns by telling him not to worry is not therapeutic communication and does little, if anything, to confront the client's concerns. Giving the concern to the business office is merely passing the buck. Nurses should have some knowledge about the payment sources of their clients, especially those who have automatic coverage with Medicare because of their age.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: B, C, E

In most states, the law assumes an individual's consent to medical treatment when the person is in imminent danger of loss of life or limb and unable to give informed consent. In other words, the emergency doctrine assumes that the individual would reasonably consent to treatment if able to do so. This doctrine serves as a guiding principle that permits healthcare providers to perform potentially life-saving procedures under circumstances that make it impossible or impractical to obtain consent. Treatment that was previously refused or violates the client's documented religious beliefs are not appropriate. Experimental medications that are being initiated in conjunction with a research study are also not appropriate.