A nurse at a mental health clinic is caring for four clients. The nurse should recognize that which of the following clients is using dissociation as a defense mechanism?

• A: Incorrect. Hospital-based hospice care is not a service provided by PACE, which is a program that offers comprehensive medical and social services to eligible older adults who wish to remain in their own homes and communities.
• D: Correct. Adult day care services are part of the PACE program, which helps older adults maintain their independence and quality of life by providing socialization, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living.
• C: Incorrect. Telehealth for pacemaker diagnostics is not a specific service offered by PACE, which provides primary care, specialty care, prescription drugs, home health care, personal care, transportation, and other services as needed.
• B: Incorrect. Transfer to a skilled care facility is not a goal of PACE, which aims to prevent or delay institutionalization by providing coordinated care and support to older adults with chronic conditions and functional limitations.

Choice Arationale:

Allowing the client to eat meals in his room might not be the best approach. Patients with anorexia nervosa often have distorted body image and may engage in secretive behaviors related to food intake. Supervised meals and observation during and after meals are essential to prevent behaviors like purging.

Choice B rationale:

Weighing the client every 48 hours is not frequent enough for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Daily weight monitoring is crucial in these cases because rapid weight loss or fluctuations can indicate worsening malnutrition, dehydration, or other medical complications.

Choice Crationale:

Obtaining vital signs every other day might not provide an accurate picture of the client's overall health status, especially during the critical early phase of care. In anorexia nervosa, patients are at risk of severe complications such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac issues, and malnutrition, which can rapidly change and require close monitoring.

Choice D rationale:

Observing the client for 1 hour after meals is a crucial nursing intervention for individuals with anorexia nervosa. After meals, these patients are at risk of engaging in purging behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise to compensate for caloric intake. Close observation can help prevent these behaviors and ensure the client's safety.