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Difficulty: MediumCollaboration with Interdisciplinary Team

During a care conference, the healthcare team is discussing a client recovering from a recent C7 spinal cord injury. The client has intact gross arm movement but impaired fine motor dexterity in the hands, leading to tearfulness and frustration during meal times. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates appropriate interdisciplinary collaboration?

  1. I will coordinate with occupational therapy to assess the client's need for adaptive eating utensils.Answer
  2. B
    I will assign the unlicensed assistive personnel to evaluate the client's swallowing safety during lunch.
  3. C
    The priority is to consult physical therapy to address the client's inability to grasp the silverware.
  4. D
    I asked the client why they do not want their family to feed them until their hand strength improves.

Answer

Coordinating with occupational therapy to assess the need for adaptive eating utensils.
Occupational therapy (OT) is the appropriate discipline to address fine motor deficits and assist clients in regaining independence with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The OT can evaluate the client and provide specialized adaptive equipment, such as built-up utensil handles or universal cuffs, which will directly address the client's frustration with feeding.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's primary functional deficit based on the clinical vignette.
The client has impaired fine motor dexterity affecting their ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (eating independently).
Accurate identification of the deficit is necessary to determine the appropriate interdisciplinary team member to consult.
2
Match the identified deficit to the correct allied health profession's scope of practice.
Occupational therapists specialize in fine motor rehabilitation and the use of adaptive equipment for ADLs.
Effective collaboration requires understanding the specific roles and boundaries of each discipline.
3
Evaluate the remaining options for safe nursing practice and communication.
The correct action avoids improper delegation to UAP, incorrect prioritization of physical therapy for a fine motor task, and non-therapeutic communication.
Nurses must coordinate care safely while advocating for the client's independence and emotional well-being.

Key Concept

Occupational therapists specialize in assisting clients with fine motor skills and the performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as eating, dressing, and grooming.
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Topics

Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Team

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