A nurse at a health department is participating in an immunization clinic.
Which child should the nurse identify as requiring a modification in the standard immunization schedule?

Choice A rationale

Discussing the risks of being homeless with the client is an important part of understanding their situation, but it is not the nurse’s initial action when caring for a client who is homeless. The nurse’s initial action should be to establish trust and understand the client’s perspective.

Choice B rationale

This is the correct answer. Determining the client’s understanding of their living situation is the nurse’s initial action when caring for a client who is homeless. This helps the nurse to understand the client’s perspective and to tailor care to meet the client’s unique needs.

Choice C rationale

Assisting the client to develop goals for obtaining shelter is an important part of the care plan for a client who is homeless, but it is not the nurse’s initial action. The nurse’s initial action should be to establish trust and understand the client’s perspective.

Choice D rationale

Developing client teaching using a variety of strategies is an important part of nursing care, but it is not the nurse’s initial action when caring for a client who is homeless. The nurse’s initial action should be to establish trust and understand the client’s perspective.

Choice A rationale

Hospice care is a service for people with serious illnesses who choose not to get (or continue) treatment to cure or control their illness. It aims to provide comfort and peace to help improve the quality of life for the person nearing death. It also helps family members cope with their loved one’s illness and can also provide support to the family after the person dies, including help with grieving, sometimes called bereavement care. Therefore, hospice care does allow families to participate in the client’s care, making this the correct answer.

Choice B rationale

While it is true that hospice services often end when the client dies, this is not the only information that should be included in the teaching about hospice care. Hospice care also provides bereavement support to the family after the person dies. Therefore, stating that hospice services end when the client dies could be misleading and incomplete.

Choice C rationale

This statement is incorrect. Hospice care is not designed to provide life-extending interventions. Instead, it focuses on providing comfort and improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses who choose not to get (or continue) treatment to cure or control their illness.

Choice D rationale

While it is true that many hospice programs are designed for clients who have 9 months or fewer to live, this is not the only criterion for hospice care. The decision to start hospice care can be complex and is based on many factors, including the person’s health status, treatment preferences, and quality of life goals. Therefore, stating that hospice programs are designed for clients who have 9 months or fewer to live could be misleading and incomplete.