The nurse knows that working with clients through rehabilitation and recovery may cause a conflict in value systems. Which of the following circumstances may cause your personal values to influence your effectiveness when working with a client?

Question

1. An insurance company that approves your plan of care for the client
2. A client who chooses a different plan of care than you have mapped out
3. A family that works closely with the treatment team
4. A client who agrees with your opinion on the plan of care

Answer 1

2
Rationale: Nurses working with clients toward rehabilitation and recovery may be caught in the middle of conflicting value systems. For example, clients with alcoholism or bulimia have been treated traditionally with intensive, extended inpatient treatment programs. Most health care insurance plans may authorize this treatment only in an outpatient setting. The nurse must respond to clients' need for autonomy in making decisions regarding treatment as well as negotiate within the limitations of the health care insurance plan. You must use creativity and flexibility in negotiating among the conflicting needs of several parties. Clients and families who are accustomed to specific treatment models for illnesses with relapse potential often feel confused and misunderstood when new treatment approaches are suggested that appear economically motivated.