The nurse in an acute care facility is caring for a patient recovering from a cerebral vascular accident that has resulted in a mild loss of muscle function in his right arm and leg

Question

The nurse is best addressing the patient's need via the functional model of care when:
a. assessing the patient's right-sided muscle strength daily.
b. reaffirming to the patient that physical therapy will improve his muscle strength.
c. instructing the patient's family on how to properly assist the patient in walking.
d. placing the telephone where the patient can reach it with his left hand.

Answer 1

D
The functional model's main goal may not be curing the disease but managing the disease, with a focus on self-care and symptom management strategies. Placing the telephone where the patient can reach it for himself is an example of a symptom management strategy. The other actions do not increase the patient's functional abilities.