An older client has no family in the same community, lives alone in a small house, and is having greater difficulty with mobility due to advanced osteoarthritis

Question

Cognitively, this client is alert, is able to manage her own business matters, and does her own cooking, but does not enjoy "cooking for one." The home health nurse who visits has noticed that the client is losing weight and does not have as much energy or interest in activities as on previous visits. What should the nurse recommend for this client?
1. See a psychiatrist because the client appears to be depressed.
2. Check out joint replacement options for the osteoarthritis.
3. Start thinking about long-term care.
4. Consider moving to an assisted living facility.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Diagnosing depression is outside the scope of nursing practice. Other interventions can be implemented before this action is considered. It also does not meet the client's immediate needs.
Rationale 2: Joint replacement may or may not be an option, but it would not be the nurse's responsibility to recommend this, nor does it meet the client's immediate needs.
Rationale 3: This client does not show any indications of requiring long-term care at this point.
Rationale 4: Assisted living facilities offer meals, laundry services, nursing care, transportation, and social activities to residents who are able to live relatively independently. They are intended to meet the needs of people who are unable to remain at home but do not require hospital or nursing home care. The client in this scenario has some physical limitations, but could benefit from socialization and interaction with peers as well as having staff available to provide limited care and health promotion activities.