A home health nurse is assessing an older adult client’s home after providing teaching about home safety. Which of the following actions by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

a. "If you have the procedure now, you won’t have to deal with pain and disability later."

This response dismisses the client's concerns about pain and focuses solely on the potential benefits of the surgery. It fails to address the client's apprehension and does not provide support or empathy. Furthermore, it oversimplifies the situation and may come across as dismissive of the client's feelings.

b. “I understand, and it’s not too late to change your mind.”

This response demonstrates empathy and validation of the client's concerns. It acknowledges the client's autonomy and gives them the option to reconsider without judgment or pressure. It encourages open communication between the nurse and the client, fostering a supportive environment.

c. “Why didn’t you discuss your concerns with your provider?”

This response may come across as accusatory or blaming, which can further distress the client. It does not offer immediate support or validation of the client's concerns. While discussing concerns with the provider is important, this response fails to address the client's immediate distress and need for reassurance.

d. “You’ll be fine. You’ll receive a prescription for pain medication.”

This response minimizes the client's concerns by reassurance without addressing the underlying issue. It also assumes that pain medication will resolve all concerns related to pain, which may not be the case for the client. Additionally, it overlooks the client's emotional needs and autonomy in decision-making.

a. A client with Alzheimer's disease and bacterial pneumonia with newly onset restlessness may be experiencing delirium, which could indicate a worsening of their pneumonia or another underlying issue. Delirium can be a sign of a serious medical condition and requires immediate assessment to determine the cause and provide appropriate intervention.

b. While a fasting blood glucose level of 200mg/dL in a newly admitted client with diabetes mellitus is high and requires attention, it is not as urgent as assessing a client with newly onset restlessness, as described in option a.

c. A client who is 24 hours postoperative following surgical reduction of a hip fracture and reports a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0-10 requires assessment and pain management, but it is not as urgent as assessing the client with newly onset restlessness.

d. A client who is 3 days postoperative following abdominal surgery and is ready for discharge may require routine assessment and preparation for discharge, but it is not as urgent as assessing the client with newly onset restlessness.