Author Question: An elderly client has no family in the same community, lives alone in a small house, and is having ... (Read 41 times)

LCritchfi · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

An elderly client has no family in the same community, lives alone in a small house, and is having greater difficulty with mobility due to advanced osteoarthritis.

Cognitively, this client is alert, is able to manage her own business matters, and does her own cooking, but does not enjoy cooking for one. The home health nurse who visits has noticed that the client is losing weight and does not have as much energy or interest in activities as on previous visits. The nurse should recommend that the client:
1. See a psychiatrist since the client appears depressed.
2. Check out joint replacement options for the osteoarthritis.
3. Start thinking about long-term care.
4. Consider moving to an assisted living facility.

Question 2

A client is being discharged from an acute hospital following an extensive illness.

The client continues to require IV antibiotics, is not able to complete ADLs (activities of daily living) without assistance, and has no family available to assist in the recovery phase. The nurse should make a recommendation for this client to:
1. Stay in the hospital until the client is fully capable of self-care.
2. Remain in the hospital until the antibiotic course is completed.
3. Be discharged to an extended care facility.
4. Go to a nursing home.

234sdffa · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Diagnosing depression is outside the scope of nursing practice, and other interventions can be implemented before this action should be considered nor does it meet the client's immediate needs.
Rationale 2: Joint replacement may or may not be an option, but it would not be the nurse's responsibility to recommend this nor does it meet the client's immediate needs.
Rationale 3: This client does not show any indications of requiring long-term care at this point.
Rationale 4: Assisted living facilities offer meals, laundry services, nursing care, transportation, and social activities to residents who are able to live relatively independently. They are intended to meet the needs of people who are unable to remain at home but do not require hospital or nursing home care. The client in this scenario has some physical limitations, but could benefit from socialization and interaction with peers as well as have staff available who provide limited care and health promotion activities.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: An acute care hospital stay is no longer required since the needs of the client could be met in another facility.
Rationale 2: The antibiotic therapy and custodial care can be provided in a more suitable facility.
Rationale 3: Extended care facilities provide care for clients who require rehabilitation and custodial care after discharge from an acute care hospital. Since this client still receives antibiotic therapy and requires some custodial care, this type of facility can provide the best care until the client is ready for discharge home.
Rationale 4: The client may require a nursing home or long-term care facility at some point, but it is too early in the recovery to make this decision.