An older client is admitted to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia. The client has a court appointed conservator who manages her finances. The nurse understands what fact about the situation?

A. Constipation is a common side effect of opioid medications like morphine. It is a priority to address because constipation can lead to discomfort, increased pain, and other complications. Preventive measures such as increased fiber intake, adequate hydration, and bowel regimen may be necessary.

B. Poor solid food intake and C. poor liquid intake are concerns, but they are secondary to the immediate issue of constipation. Adequate nutrition and hydration are important for overall recovery, but constipation can have more immediate and uncomfortable consequences.

D. Diarrhea is not a common side effect of morphine. In fact, constipation is a more common gastrointestinal side effect. If the patient were to experience diarrhea, it could be indicative of another issue or complication that needs to be addressed, but it is not the primary preventive care concern associated with morphine use.

A. The conservator will function in the same capacity as a health care proxy.
Explanation: A conservator and a health care proxy serve different roles. A conservator is appointed by a court to manage financial affairs, while a health care proxy is designated to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so. These roles are not interchangeable.

B. This client does not have the capacity to give informed consent for any procedures.
Explanation: The presence of a conservator alone does not automatically indicate a lack of capacity to give informed consent. Capacity for making healthcare decisions is determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on the client's cognitive and decision-making abilities.

C. The presence of a conservator does not mean the client cannot give informed consent.
Explanation: Having a court-appointed conservator to manage finances does not automatically imply that the client lacks the capacity to provide informed consent for medical procedures. The ability to make healthcare decisions, including giving informed consent, is distinct from financial capacity. Even if a conservator is appointed for financial matters, the client may still have the capacity to participate in decisions related to their health and medical treatment.

D. The nurse needs to provide all educational materials to the conservator instead of the client.
Explanation: Educational materials related to the client's healthcare should be provided directly to the client whenever possible. While the conservator may be involved in financial matters, the client should still receive relevant information regarding their health and medical care.