The nurse and physician are preparing a client for discharge who will be requiring physical therapy (PT) in the home because of a fractured leg. After reading the physician order for PT, the nurse's initial action would be to:

Question

1. Set up appointments according to the order with the hospital PT Department.
2. Call home health and schedule a therapist to visit the home for therapy.
3. Teach the family the exercises needed for the client.
4. Discuss the various types of settings for therapy and have the client choose the venue.

Answer 1

4. Discuss the various types of settings for therapy and have the client choose the venue.

Rationale:
The nurse best exhibits the characteristic that the client has a right to self-determination by presenting the methods available for PT and answering the client's questions about each so the client can make an informed decision. The nurse would not refer the client for outpatient therapy unless the client requests that form of therapy. Scheduling home PT is leaving the client out of the decision-making process. The therapy that the client requires must be performed by a professional physical therapist. To teach the family exercises encroaches upon the expertise of the professional who will be performing the service.