A nurse is caring for a client who is having difficulty performing activities of daily living. The nurse is functioning in which of the following roles when arranging for an occupational therapist to visit the client?

Choice A reason: Tracking rates of illness caused by infection among employees is not an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as it is related to biological hazards. Biological hazards are living organisms or substances that can cause disease or infection, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. The nurse should track rates of illness caused by infection among employees to monitor the prevalence and incidence of occupational infections, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, or COVID-19, and to implement preventive and control measures.

Choice B reason: Surveying workers about job-related emotional stress is not an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as it is related to psychosocial hazards. Psychosocial hazards are factors that affect the mental and emotional well-being of workers, such as workload, autonomy, communication, recognition, or violence. The nurse should survey workers about job-related emotional stress to assess the level and sources of occupational stress, burnout, or fatigue, and to provide counseling, support, or referral.

Choice C reason: Identifying industrial toxins that are present in the environment is not an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as it is related to chemical hazards. Chemical hazards are substances that can harm the health or safety of workers, such as solvents, acids, gases, or pesticides. The nurse should identify industrial toxins that are present in the environment to evaluate the exposure and risk of workers, and to implement protective measures, such as ventilation, personal protective equipment, or safe handling procedures.

Choice D reason: Measuring noise levels at various locations in the facility is an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as noise is a common and harmful physical hazard. Physical hazards are factors that can harm the body or damage the equipment or materials, such as noise, vibration, temperature, radiation, or electricity. The nurse should measure noise levels at various locations in the facility to determine the intensity and duration of noise exposure, and to implement noise reduction measures, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, or hearing protection devices.

Choice A reason: The client dressing her affected side first is not a finding that the nurse should report to the interprofessional care team, as it indicates that the client is following the proper technique for dressing after a stroke. Dressing the affected side first helps the client maintain range of motion and prevent contractures of the affected limbs.

Choice B reason: The client bearing weight on their arms when using crutches is not a finding that the nurse should report to the interprofessional care team, as it is a normal and expected way of using crutches. Bearing weight on the arms helps the client balance and support their body weight while walking with crutches.

Choice C reason: The client coughing when swallowing her medications is a finding that the nurse should report to the interprofessional care team, as it indicates that the client may have dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which is a common complication of stroke. Dysphagia can increase the risk of aspiration, pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition. The nurse should assess the client's swallowing ability and refer them to a speech-language pathologist for further evaluation and intervention.

Choice D reason: The client's caregiver filling a pill organizer weekly is not a finding that the nurse should report to the interprofessional care team, as it is a positive and helpful way of managing the client's medications. Filling a pill organizer weekly can help the client and the caregiver remember the medication names, doses, and schedules, and prevent medication errors or omissions.