A nurse has been assigned to care for a trauma patient with bilateral femoral spiral fractures and a torn spleen, which was removed 2 days before

Question

The patient confides to the nurse that she agreed to an advance directive when she entered the hospital but now is not so sure that is what she wants. The patient asks if this is normal for her to feel this way. Which element of the University of Colorado Hospital Model should the nurse consider first in this situation? a. Clinical expertise c. Patient preferences
b. Benchmarking data d. Quality improvement and risk data

Answer 1

C
Of the nine possible elements in the University of Colorado Hospital Model, patient preferences would
be the most appropriate in this situation because it includes discussion, documentation, and
implementation of the patient's wishes regarding advanced directives, pain management, etc. Even
though consulting the patient's health practitioner (clinical expertise) is also indicated, the primary
need for this patient is to have her questions answered and some discussion of her concern.