A nurse is caring for a client who states, "No wonder we can't get control of my pain! You don't even believe me when I tell you how much I hurt!" Which of the following defense mechanisms should the nurse identify the client using?

Rationale:

A. Respite care: Respite care provides temporary relief for caregivers, but it does not directly assist clients with limited financial resources in obtaining home IV therapy or covering medical costs. This resource may be helpful later but is not a primary financial support option.

B. Food stamps: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, helps low-income clients access adequate nutrition. Proper nutrition is important for healing and overall health, making this a relevant resource for a client below the poverty level.

C. Medicaid: Medicaid provides health coverage for low-income individuals and can help cover costs associated with home IV therapy, medications, and other healthcare needs. It is an appropriate recommendation for a client who meets income eligibility criteria.

D. Medicare Part A: Medicare primarily covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health services for clients over 65 or with certain disabilities. A young adult below the poverty level may not qualify, making this less appropriate for the scenario.

E. Adult day care: Adult day care provides socialization and supervision during the day, mainly for older adults or those with cognitive impairments. It does not address financial assistance or coverage for home IV therapy, so it is not a primary resource in this case.

Rationale:

A. Place a pillow under the client's knees when changing positions: Elevating the knees with a pillow may be appropriate for comfort, but in a client with a thoracic spine injury, this can alter spinal alignment and increase the risk of further injury. Maintaining proper spinal alignment during all movements is more important than knee elevation.

B. Use a sheet when repositioning the client onto his side: Using a sheet for logrolling or turning helps maintain spinal alignment and allows multiple caregivers to move the client safely as a unit. This technique minimizes rotation or flexion of the spine, which is critical in preventing further spinal cord injury in clients with thoracic spine trauma.

C. Apply an immobilizing collar on the client prior to movement: Cervical collars are used for cervical spine injuries, not thoracic spine injuries. Applying a collar would not stabilize the thoracic spine and could give a false sense of security while performing repositioning.

D. Instruct the client to keep his arms at his side when altering positions: The client may need to assist in turning if possible, and keeping the arms rigidly at the side is not necessary. Restricting arm movement does not ensure spinal safety and may limit the client’s ability to participate safely in repositioning.