The home health nurse is assessing the client's environment for ...

[bobypop]

The home health nurse is assessing the client's environment for safety concerns and finds that most of the rooms in the house have only one outlet with various cords entering the outlet. The nurse notes this concern to the client and the client's spouse.
 
  They inform the nurse that this is the way we've lived for years. The nurse should:
  1. Provide telephone numbers for local electricians.
  2. Continue to persuade the client to have the home rewired.
  3. Not bring the subject up again.
  4. Document the findings and the client and spouse's response to the concern.

Question 2

A client who has been the recipient of home health care has made the decision to discontinue hemodialysis. The client understands all the consequences of this decision and is not supported by his family.
 
  The nurse is meeting with the family to help them understand the significance of the client's decision and to help them support the client during this difficult time. In this situation, the nurse is acting in which of the following roles?
  1. Caregiver
  2. Advocate
  3. Educator
  4. Counselor

[LP]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: While not inappropriate, this option is not likely to be acted upon by the client.
Rationale 2: Home health nurses cannot expect to change a family's living space and lifestyle and such an intervention may be resented by the client.
Rationale 3: The nurse has an obligation to bring safety issues to the client's attention.
Rationale 4: Home health nurses cannot expect to change a family's living space and lifestyle. However, they can express concern when a situation suggests the possibility for injury. Nurses must document information they provide and the family's response to instruction as well as make ongoing assessments about the family's use of safety precautions.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The home health nurse's major role as caregiver is to assess and diagnose the client's actual and potential health problems. That is not the role described here.
Rationale 2: As a client advocate, the nurse explores and supports the client's choices in health care. Advocacy includes having discussions about the client's rights, advance medical directives, living wills, and durable power of attorney for health care. At times, the client's views may vary from those of other family members. In the event of conflict, the nurse ensures that the client's rights and desires are upheld.
Rationale 3: AThe educator role focuses on teaching illness care, prevention of problems, and promotion of optimal wellness or well-being. That is not the role described here.
Rationale 4: Counselor is not a role for the home health nurse.