A nurse is assisting with an admission interview for a client who has schizophrenia. He tells the nurse that he is receiving special audible messages from the Central Intelligence Agency that no one else is able to hear. The nurse should identify that the client is having which of the following alterations in perception?

b. A client who has hemiparesis and lives alone.

Explanation:

The correct answer is b. A client who has hemiparesis and lives alone.

An interdisciplinary care conference involves the collaboration of multiple healthcare professionals from different disciplines to develop a comprehensive care plan for a client. In this scenario, the client with hemiparesis who lives alone requires an interdisciplinary care conference because their condition and living situation present complex challenges.

Clients who had surgery for cataract removal and live in a rural location (option a) may require support with transportation and follow-up appointments, but it does not necessarily warrant an interdisciplinary care conference.

A client who requires assistance to pay for dressing supplies (option c) may benefit from financial counseling or resources, but it does not typically require the involvement of multiple healthcare professionals in a care conference.

A client who requires instruction regarding medication administration (option d) can typically receive education from a nurse or pharmacist without the need for an interdisciplinary care conference.

In contrast, the client with hemiparesis who lives alone may require input from various professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and home healthcare providers to address their physical limitations, safety concerns, and support needs. Therefore, an interdisciplinary care conference is necessary to develop a comprehensive discharge plan that addresses all aspects of their care and promotes their well-being in the community.

The presence of alcohol on a nurse's breath raises concerns regarding impairment and the potential for compromised patient safety. It is crucial to prioritize patient safety and prevent any potential harm. Removing the nurse from the client care area ensures that immediate patient safety is addressed and minimizes the risk of any adverse events.

Call the supervisor to ask for another nurse: While involving the supervisor is important, it should not be the first action taken in this situation. The immediate priority is to address patient safety by removing the nurse from the client care area.

Assign clients to the remaining staff: Assigning clients to the remaining staff should not be the first action taken because it may compromise patient safety if the nurse in question is impaired. It is important to ensure that the nurse is removed from the client care area before reassigning the clients to other staff members.

Document objective findings about the situation: Documenting the objective findings about the situation is important for accurate record-keeping and reporting. However, it should not be the first action taken when immediate patient safety is at stake. Removing the nurse from the client care area is the priority.