You are assessing an older adult patient post-myocardial infarction. You attempt to identify your patient's health patterns and to assess if these health patterns are achieving the patient's goals

Question

How should you best respond if it is found that the patient's health patterns are not achieving their goals?
A) Seek ways to promote balance in the patient.
B) Refer the patient to social work.
C) Identify alternative models of health care.
D) Provide insight into the patient's physiological failings.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse has a significant role and responsibility in identifying the health patterns of the patient receiving care. If those patterns are not achieving physiologic, psychological, and social balance, the nurse is obligated, with the assistance and agreement of the patient, to seek ways to promote balance. The nurse is not obligated to refer to social work, identify alternative forms of care, or provide insight into the physiologic failings of the system if the patient's health patterns are not achieving their goals.