A Mexican-American client is insistent that her family members stay with her in her hospital room while she is recovering from surgery. What will be the priority action of the nurse?

Question

a. Explain the policy of the hospital regard-ing visitors.
b. Ask the Spanish-speaking chaplain to help explain why this is unacceptable.
c. Arrange for additional beds to accommo-date family members' overnight stay.
d. Notify the physician of the client's anxiety and suggest a prescription.

Answer 1

C
If a client asks that family members stay, the nurse should facilitate this process by making ar-rangements and notifying administration. Although it is important for visitors to understand hos-pital policies, it is possible that the administration will be willing to change policies, within rea-son, to meet client needs. It is always acceptable to arrange for interpreters if there is difficulty communicating with a multicultural client in his or her language. However, in this case, the chaplain does not have to explain why it is unacceptable because the request is within reason. The physician can be notified that the client is upset, but if allowing the family to stay decreases the client's anxiety, then antianxiety medication usually is not necessary.