Question

Difficulty: EasyCollaboration with Interdisciplinary Team

A nurse is preparing to discharge an older adult client who has moderate dementia. The client will be moving in with an adult child. The adult child appears anxious and tells the nurse, "I want my parent to live with me, but I am completely overwhelmed. I don't know how I can manage providing 24-hour care while keeping my job." Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

  1. Request a consultation with the medical social worker to explore community support services and respite care options.Answer
  2. B
    Delegate the task of teaching the adult child how to perform the client's activities of daily living to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
  3. C
    Reassure the adult child by stating, "Everything will work out perfectly fine once you both get settled into a routine at home."
  4. D
    Explain to the adult child that the client's severe confusion and need for constant supervision are normal, expected parts of the aging process.

Answer

The most appropriate action is to request a consultation with the medical social worker to explore community support services and respite care options.
The medical social worker is the appropriate interdisciplinary team member to evaluate the family's psychosocial needs and connect them with essential community resources, such as respite care. This collaboration directly addresses the caregiver's anxiety and ensures a safe transition to the home environment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary problem presented in the scenario.
The caregiver is experiencing significant anxiety and potential role strain regarding the ability to provide continuous home care.
Recognizing the core issue dictates which nursing intervention or interdisciplinary referral is required.
2
Determine the appropriate intervention to address caregiver burden and discharge needs.
The family needs external support, such as respite care or adult day care, to maintain a safe environment and prevent burnout.
Nursing care extends to supporting caregivers to ensure the client's safety and well-being at home.
3
Select the correct interdisciplinary team member to facilitate this need.
A medical social worker specializes in assessing psychosocial needs and connecting clients and families with community resources.
Effective collaboration with the social worker ensures comprehensive discharge planning.

Key Concept

Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Team
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