Author Question: A nurse working in a substance abuse clinic is assigned a patient with recurring substance abuse ... (Read 115 times)

jayhills49 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A nurse working in a substance abuse clinic is assigned a patient with recurring substance abuse issues. Which strategy is the first priority when providing care to this patient?

1. Administering medication
2. Ordering psychological testing
3. Arranging for inpatient hospital care
4. Assessing the patient's current health status

Question 2

The interprofessional treatment team is discussing appropriate strategies for a homebound patient who has a history of medication nonadherence. A treatment team member suggests that the nurse case manager make daily home visits to administer medications

to the patient. What is the best response from the nurse case manager?
1. My job description does not include medication administration to patients in the home.
2. My time is better spent supervising others to provide this type of direct care.
3. My daily schedule is too full to commit this amount of time to administering medications.
4. My role as case manager is to remain objective and organize and coordinate care, not to provide direct patient care.

bbburns21 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 4
Explanation: As with any patient, the nurse begins with assessment of the patient's current health status. Assessment and problem identification are critical to providing care for patients with serious and persistent mental illnesses such as recurring substance abuse. The nurse must first assess the patient's needs and status before administering medication. The nurse does not have the authority to order psychological testing unless the nurse is engaged in advanced practice. The assessment will determine what level of care is indicated.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 4
Explanation: The nurse case manager's role is to remain objective and marshal resources, organizing and coordinating care. When pulled into delivering the care, the case manager loses perspective and may find important issues clouded. Stating that the case manager is too busy, too important, or that it is not in the job description does not communicate the importance of the case manager's role and its unique contribution to the care team.