A 46-year-old patient, unemployed and diagnosed with kidney disease, tells the nurse that he is having difficulty with his medical bills. Which of the following should the nurse do to help this patient?

Question

1. Ask social services to discuss Medicare as a health care coverage option.
2. Assure the patient that the nurse will ask the health care provider if the patient can be quickly discharged to home.
3. Work with the pharmacist to determine which medications the patient can discontinue and still maintain an acceptable level of health.
4. Suggest the patient take prescribed medications every other day to have the prescription last longer.

Answer 1

Ask social services to discuss Medicare as a health care coverage option.

Rationale: The nurse should talk with social services to find out if the patient is eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare is the national health insurance program that covers people 65 years or older, some people under age 65 with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. The nurse should not discuss an early discharge with the patient. The nurse would not work with the pharmacist to determine which medications the patient can discontinue and maintain an acceptable level of health. The nurse should not suggest that the patient skip medications doses to help make the prescription last longer.