A client with a thought disorder is to be discharged home today, 4 days after having severe

Question

decompensation related to medication noncompliance.

The client's medication was restarted, and the
client's thought processes are now noted to be more logical and less interrupted by hallucinations.
When the client's husband comes to pick her up, he becomes upset and tells the nurse "She
shouldn't come home so soon. She's still sick. You must keep her at least a month.". The nurse
should
a. call the psychiatrist to come to the unit to explain discharge rationale.
b. explain that health insurance won't pay for a longer stay for the client.
c. explain that the client will continue to improve if she takes medication regularly.
d. call security to handle the disturbance and escort the husband off the unit.

Answer 1

ANS: C
Under managed care clients no longer stay in the hospital until every vestige of a symptom
disappears. The nurse must assume responsibility to advocate for the client's right to the least
restrictive setting as soon as the symptoms are under control and for the right of citizens to control
health care costs. Option A will ultimately produce the same result because the physician will use
the same rationale. Option B simply shifts blame but will not change the discharge. Option D is
unnecessary; the nurse can handle the matter.