A client was admitted to the community palliative care unit ten years after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Which intervention should the nurse prioritize in the client’s care plan?

Answer and explanation

The correct answer is Choice B.

Choice A rationale

While reinforcing instructions can boost a patient’s self-confidence, it may not be effective for an elderly patient with Parkinson’s disease who is unable to administer ophthalmic medication due to hand tremors. The physical limitation caused by the tremors may not be overcome by further instruction.

Choice B rationale

If a family member is available and willing to administer the medication, this could be an effective solution. The family member can be trained to administer the medication correctly, ensuring the patient receives their necessary treatment.

Choice C rationale

While obtaining a prescription for a visiting nurse to administer the medication twice a day could ensure the patient receives their medication, it may not be the most practical or cost- effective solution. It also depends on the availability of such services in the patient’s area.

Choice D rationale

Documenting the patient’s inability to administer the medication without assistance is important for record-keeping and communicating with other healthcare providers. However, it does not address the immediate issue of ensuring the patient receives their necessary medication.

Answer and explanation

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale

While understanding the type of bicycle injuries sustained can provide useful information for tailoring educational sessions, it does not directly measure the effectiveness of the program. The goal of the program is to eliminate bicycle injuries, so the key measure of success is a decrease in the incidence of these injuries.

Choice B rationale

Surveying parents about their understanding of the educational pamphlet can provide useful feedback on one component of the program. However, it does not directly measure whether the program has achieved its goal of reducing bicycle injuries.

Choice C rationale

Comparing the incidence of bicycle injuries at the beginning and end of the program directly measures the impact of the program on the issue it was designed to address. If the program is effective, there should be a noticeable decrease in the incidence of bicycle injuries.

Choice D rationale

Conducting a survey to assess children’s knowledge of bicycle safety can provide useful information on the educational component of the program. However, increased knowledge does not necessarily translate into behavior change or a decrease in injuries.