Author Question: A 67-year-old client asks the nurse how he will afford his hospitalization, which has been extended ... (Read 33 times)

Sportsfan2111 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A 67-year-old client asks the nurse how he will afford his hospitalization, which has been extended and involves extremely expensive drugs. The best response by the nurse is:

1. Don't worry. I'm sure everything will work out okay..
2. You need to focus on recovering, not worrying about finances..
3. Much of your care will be covered by Medicare..
4. I'll have someone from the business office come and talk to you about your bill..

Question 2

A client has been diagnosed as having impaired swallowing and complains of frequent heartburn. The nurse should:

1. Assist the client in maintaining a sitting position for 30 minutes after the meal.
2. Teach the client the chin tuck technique when swallowing.
3. Check the client's mouth for pocketing of food.
4. Assist the client to a 90sitting position, or as high as tolerated, during meals.

Ddddd · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3. Much of your care will be covered by Medicare..

Rationale:
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

1. Assist the client in maintaining a sitting position for 30 minutes after the meal.

Rationale:
Keeping the client upright for a time after the meal will help prevent food from being regurgitated back into the esophagus. The position of the client during the meals as well as teaching the chin tuck technique will assist with the swallowing mechanism but will not help with regurgitation. Pocketing food does not cause regurgitation.