A gerontological nurse is reviewing a journal article about legal issues and nursing practice. The nurse identifies which situation as a matter of public law?

A. "Fortunately, most people over 65 have a sufficient level of income."

This statement might not accurately reflect the reality for many older adults. While some older adults may indeed have sufficient income, there is significant variability in financial resources among older populations. Many older adults face financial challenges due to factors such as retirement savings, pensions, social security benefits, healthcare costs, and economic disparities. Therefore, this statement may not be reflective of the broader population of older adults.

B. "It is reassuring older adults are receiving more concern than in decades past."

While it is positive to recognize increased concern and attention towards the well-being of older adults, this statement does not directly address the trend of increasing admissions of older adults to subacute medical units. Moreover, without specific data or context, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this statement in relation to current trends in healthcare utilization among older adults.

C. "Most of the older clients on the unit will have come to us from nursing homes."

This statement acknowledges a common trend observed in healthcare, where older adults are increasingly transitioning from nursing homes or long-term care facilities to subacute medical units. This reflects the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery and the need for specialized care for older adults with complex medical needs. Therefore, this statement is most reflective of current thinking about the increasing admissions of older adults to subacute medical units.

D. "It helps that older people do not have to incur any costs for their medical care.”

This statement is inaccurate. While older adults may have access to Medicare, which covers certain medical expenses, it does not cover all costs, and there may still be out-of-pocket expenses, such as copayments, deductibles, and services not covered by Medicare. Additionally, financial barriers can still exist for older adults, especially those with limited income or inadequate insurance coverage. Therefore, this statement does not accurately reflect the financial realities of older adults' healthcare costs.

A. A 79-year-old woman who has dysphagia following her recent stroke:

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, following a stroke is a serious condition that requires careful management to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia or malnutrition. While dysphagia presents challenges, it may not necessarily indicate a deficit in knowledge, experience, or skills on the part of the client. Dysphagia management typically involves interventions by healthcare professionals rather than self-management by the client.

B. An 80-year-old man, newly diagnosed with diabetes, who shows an inability to manipulate glucometer and test strips:

This scenario suggests a deficit in knowledge and skills related to managing diabetes, a chronic condition that requires ongoing monitoring of blood glucose levels. Proper use of a glucometer and test strips is essential for self-management of diabetes. The client's inability to manipulate these devices indicates a potential gap in understanding or ability to perform necessary self-care tasks, which could compromise his health if left unaddressed.

C. An 89-year-old man who has recently lost the ability to climb stairs due to an exacerbation of his heart failure:

Losing the ability to climb stairs due to heart failure exacerbation is a significant functional decline rather than a deficit in knowledge, experience, or skills. While it may impact the client's mobility and quality of life, it doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of understanding or skills that could compromise health. The focus for this client would be on managing the exacerbation of heart failure and potentially regaining functional abilities through rehabilitation or other interventions.

D. A 78-year-old woman who states that she lost all hope since her spouse's death 5 months prior and no longer wants to stay active:

This scenario suggests emotional distress and loss of motivation following the death of the client's spouse rather than a deficit in knowledge, experience, or skills related to health management. While emotional well-being is important for overall health, addressing this issue would involve psychosocial support and interventions rather than focusing solely on deficits in knowledge or skills.