A nurse is assessing an older adult client who was brought to the emergency department by his adult son, who reports that the client fell at home. The nurse suspects elder abuse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Ask the client's son to go to the waiting area.
Ask the client about his injuries with the son present.
Treat and discharge the client.
File an incident report.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Asking the client's son to go to the waiting area allows the nurse to have a private conversation with the client, which is crucial in suspected cases of elder abuse to gather information without potential interference or intimidation.
B. Asking about injuries with the son present might hinder the client from disclosing information due to fear or pressure.
C. Treating and discharging the client without addressing the suspected elder abuse could potentially put the client in further danger.
D. Filing an incident report might be necessary but should follow an assessment and investigation of the situation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While religious beliefs may influence a client's decision, they are not the deciding factor. Clients have the right to refuse treatment regardless of the reason, as long as they are competent and informed.
B. The partner’s role as the durable power of attorney for health care is only relevant if the client is unable to make decisions due to incompetence or incapacitation. If the client is competent, their decision takes precedence over the wishes of their partner or any legal proxy.
C. Ensuring the client understands the risks of refusing the procedure is the deciding factor. A competent client has the right to refuse any medical treatment, including surgery, after being informed of the potential consequences. The nurse and provider must ensure the client’s decision is informed and voluntary.
D. The facility ethics committee may provide guidance in complex cases, but they do not override a competent client’s autonomy. The client’s informed decision is the ultimate determinant in whether the surgery is performed.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contacting the provider may be part of the process, but it does not directly address the conflict between the family members' wishes and the health care surrogate's legal authority.
B. While the ethics committee can be a valuable resource in resolving disputes, it is not the first step in this situation, as the health care surrogate has the legal right to make decisions on behalf of the unconscious client.
C. The health care surrogate is legally designated to make health care decisions for the client when they are unable to do so themselves. This includes decisions about life-sustaining treatments such as a feeding tube.
D. Reviewing the client's advance directives is important, but it does not supersede the authority of the health care surrogate unless the directives explicitly limit the surrogate's decision-making power.
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