Which information should the practical nurse (PN) collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility?
Health care proxy documentation.
Name of funeral home to contact.
Client's wishes regarding organ donation.
Contact information for the client's next of kin.
The Correct Answer is A
- A terminally ill client is a client who has a progressive and incurable disease or condition that is expected to result in death within a short period of time, such as months or weeks. A terminally ill client may require palliative care, which is the care that focuses on relieving pain and suffering and improving the quality of life for the client and their family.
- An admission assessment is the process of collecting information about a client's health status, needs, preferences, and goals when they are admitted to a health care facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice. An admission assessment helps to establish a baseline for the client's condition, plan and implement appropriate interventions, and evaluate the outcomes of care.
- A health care proxy is a legal document that allows a client to appoint another person, such as a family member or a friend, to make health care decisions for them if they become unable to do so themselves. A health care proxy may also include specific instructions or preferences about the type and extent of care that the client wishes to receive or refuse, such as life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, or organ donation.
- Health care proxy documentation is important information that the practical nurse (PN) should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility, as it reflects the client's autonomy, dignity, and wishes regarding their end-of-life care. It also helps to ensure that the client's healthcare decisions are respected and followed by the healthcare team and the facility.
- Therefore, option A is the correct answer, while options B, C, and D are incorrect.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Checking the medical record for the correct signed consent form is within the PN’s scope of practice. The PN ensures that proper documentation is completed before the procedure.
B. Explaining the examination and obtaining consent is the responsibility of the healthcare provider (e.g., physician or advanced practice nurse) performing the procedure. The PN does not obtain informed consent.
C. Obtaining consent from a family member is only appropriate if the client is legally unable to provide consent (e.g., unconscious or lacks decision-making capacity), and legal documentation is in place.
D. Asking if the client understands the exam is important, but the PN does not provide the detailed explanation required for informed consent. The provider must clarify any concerns.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
When admitting a client with complications of left-sided heart failure, the practical nurse (PN) should prioritize assessing the client's bilateral lung sounds. Left-sided heart failure can result in the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion and impaired gas exchange. By auscultating the client's lung sounds, the PN can assess for the presence of crackles, wheezes, or diminished breath sounds, which are indicative of pulmonary congestion and fluid accumulation. This assessment helps to identify the severity of the client's condition and guides further interventions and treatment.
While assessing heart sounds (option a) is important in evaluating cardiac function, assessing lung sounds takes priority as pulmonary congestion is a common manifestation of left-sided heart failure. Chest pain (option b) is a significant symptom that should be assessed promptly, but in this scenario, the focus is on assessing for signs of pulmonary congestion and impaired gas exchange. Assessing the client's mood and affect (option d) is important for a comprehensive assessment, but it is not the priority when the client is admitted with complications of left-sided heart failure.
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