A home health nurse is reinforcing teaching about dietary needs with the child of a client. They state, "I don't know what to do because they're not eating." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A Reason:

"I can't change my mind about the care I will receive once I sign my living will." Is incorrect.

This statement suggests a misconception that signing a living will locks in a permanent decision, whereas advance directives can usually be updated or modified as long as the individual is competent to do so.

Choice B Reason:

"If I want life support, I'll need to sign a separate consent form first." Is incorrect. While the concept of a consent form for specific treatments is relevant, it might not fully reflect the broader scope of advance directives, which encompass a range of healthcare preferences beyond just life support.

Choice C Reason:

"I'm glad to have the opportunity to choose what kind of care I receive while I still can." Is correct. This statement reflects the understanding that advance directives offer the opportunity to make decisions about the type of care the client wishes to receive or avoid, empowering them to express their preferences while they are still able to do so.

Choice D Reason:

"Once I fill out my living will, there will be a 1-month delay before it is legally binding." Is incorrect. There isn't typically a standardized waiting period before an advance directive becomes legally binding. The legal validity and activation of advance directives vary by region, but they usually become effective immediately upon completion unless stated otherwise or specific requirements apply.

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

A client receives burns from a heating pad is correct. Any injury or harm caused to a client due to a medical device or equipment should be documented in an incident report for evaluation and review to prevent future incidents.

Choice B Reason:

A client's visitor becomes dizzy and faints in the client's room is incorrect. While this event might prompt the nurse to provide immediate assistance and seek medical attention for the visitor, it doesn't typically fall under the purview of an incident report unless it results from an issue within the healthcare facility.

Choice C Reason:

A client becomes disoriented and falls out of bed is correct. Falls resulting in injury or harm to the client, especially due to disorientation, should be documented to assess potential preventive measures and ensure appropriate care.

Choice D Reason:

A client reports being dissatisfied with the temperature of the meals provided is incorrect. Client dissatisfaction with meal temperature is an important concern, but it's generally addressed through communication and service improvement rather than being documented in an incident report unless it poses a risk to the client's health (e.g., if the food was excessively hot, causing harm).