The practical nurse (PN) notes that a client has truncal obesity, a moon face, and a buffalo hump. The PN should question the client about recent use of which type of medication?

A. Throw away soiled clothing.
Not Applicable
Throwing away soiled clothing does not address the issue of elder mistreatment and may not be relevant to the investigation of abuse or neglect. Instead, the focus should be on assessing the situation, documenting evidence, and ensuring the client’s safety. The PN’s role includes observing signs of mistreatment and reporting them, not managing personal items.
B. Report findings to Adult Protective Services.
Applicable
Reporting to Adult Protective Services is crucial for initiating a formal investigation into suspected elder mistreatment. These agencies are equipped to handle allegations of abuse and neglect through professional investigation and intervention. This step ensures that the client receives the appropriate protection and that any mistreatment is addressed legally.
C. Complete a comprehensive history.
Applicable
A comprehensive history helps the PN understand the client’s background, current living conditions, and any potential patterns of mistreatment. This information is essential for identifying signs of abuse or neglect and for making an informed report to the appropriate authorities. It also assists in documenting the client’s experiences and concerns.
D. Perform a thorough physical assessment.
Applicable
A thorough physical assessment allows the PN to identify and document signs of physical abuse or neglect, such as injuries or unsanitary conditions. This documentation is important for supporting the findings in the report to Adult Protective Services and for planning further interventions. The assessment provides evidence of mistreatment and helps in evaluating the client’s overall well-being.
E. Question the client in front of the suspected abuser.
Not Applicable
Questioning the client in front of the suspected abuser can be unsafe and may lead to further mistreatment of the client. It is important to conduct these discussions privately to protect the client and obtain accurate information. The PN should gather information discreetly and report findings to the authorities without risking the client’s safety.
F. Develop a safety plan.
Applicable
Developing a safety plan is essential for ensuring the client’s immediate safety and preparing for any potential risks of mistreatment. This plan addresses how the client can be protected from further harm and outlines steps for seeking help if needed. It is a proactive measure to safeguard the client’s well-being.
G. Take photographs to document the abuse or neglect.
Applicable
Photographs serve as objective evidence of abuse or neglect, which is valuable for investigations by Adult Protective Services. Documenting visual evidence helps in assessing the severity of the mistreatment and supports the report made to authorities. It provides a clear record of conditions that might otherwise be subjective or difficult to convey.
H. Confront the abuser about concerning actions.
Not Applicable
Confronting the abuser can escalate the situation and put the client at further risk of mistreatment. This action should be handled by professionals trained to manage such situations. The PN’s role is to observe, document, and report findings rather than directly addressing the suspected abuser

Applicable
Evaluating functional improvement assesses whether the additional physical and occupational therapy is effectively enhancing the client’s ability to perform activities of daily living and participate in community activities. This focuses on tangible outcomes of the therapy, such as improved mobility or independence. Measuring functional improvement helps to determine if the interventions are meeting their goals and positively impacting the client's physical abilities.

Psychological assessment
Not Applicable
While important, psychological assessment is not the primary focus when evaluating the specific outcomes of physical and occupational therapy. Psychological well-being might be a component of overall care but is not the immediate measure for the success of the physical therapies established. The main goal here is to assess the effectiveness of the physical and occupational therapy, which is more directly measured by functional and quality of life improvements.

Quality of life
Applicable
Assessing quality of life evaluates how well the client’s overall well-being is supported by the new care interventions, including their physical comfort, mental health, and ability to engage in daily activities. This broader measure considers whether the care provided enhances the client's satisfaction with their daily life and personal experiences, reflecting the success of the implemented therapies.

Financial security
Not Applicable
Financial security is not directly related to evaluating the outcomes of physical and occupational therapy interventions. It is important for overall care management but does not measure the effectiveness of specific therapies or the impact on the client’s physical functioning or quality of life. This factor is outside the scope of assessing the direct results of therapy and daily living support.

Cognitive status
Not Applicable
Cognitive status is not the main focus for evaluating the success of physical and occupational therapy. While cognitive status is relevant for overall care, the immediate goal of assessing the effectiveness of the physical therapies is to see improvements in functional abilities and quality of life. Cognitive assessments are important but not directly related to the specific goals of physical and occupational therapy outcomes