A nurse is coordinating care for a client admitted with severe aspiration pneumonia secondary to advanced Parkinson's disease. The client has a new prescription for a pureed diet with honey-thick liquids. The client's adult children are at the bedside expressing intense disagreement about whether to pursue long-term artificial nutrition. Which actions by the nurse demonstrate appropriate interdisciplinary collaboration and safe care management? (Select all that apply)
- Request a consultation with a speech-language pathologist to evaluate the client's current swallowing capabilities.Answer
- Ask the medical social worker to help facilitate a family conference regarding the disagreement over care goals.Answer
- CInstruct the unlicensed assistive personnel to feed the client their first meal on the newly prescribed modified diet.
- DTell the family members, "I know this is difficult, but you should just follow the attending provider's recommendation."
- EPostpone administering the client's scheduled intravenous antibiotics to complete a routine referral for physical therapy.
Answer
The correct actions include requesting a consultation with a speech-language pathologist and asking the medical social worker to facilitate a family conference.
The correct actions demonstrate appropriate utilization of the interdisciplinary team. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the specialized team member trained to evaluate and manage dysphagia, making their involvement essential for a client with aspiration pneumonia and a new modified diet. A medical social worker (MSW) is equipped to mediate complex family conflicts, provide psychosocial support, and assist with challenging ethical decisions regarding goals of care, such as long-term artificial nutrition.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Safe Delegation, and Prioritization