A nurse initiates a referral to an occupational therapist for a client with care at the facility.

Which of the following client care tasks should the nurse support the need for this referral?

A: Checking the medical record to ensure the provider explained the procedure is important for verifying that the client has been informed, but it does not address any immediate concerns the client may have just before the procedure.

B: Explaining the risks of the procedure is typically the responsibility of the provider, not the nurse. The nurse should ensure that the client understands the information provided by the provider, but not introduce new information.

C: Conveying the client's request to the nurse who witnessed the consent is not as direct or immediate as notifying the provider. It may delay addressing the client's concerns.

D: Notifying the provider about the client's concerns ensures that the client’s questions and anxieties are addressed directly by the person most qualified to provide detailed information and reassurance. This action helps to ensure the client is fully informed and comfortable before proceeding.

A. Occupational therapists help clients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Their focus includes activities of daily living (ADLs), which encompass tasks such as grooming, dressing, bathing, and oral hygiene. Therefore, a client requiring assistance with completing oral hygiene would benefit from an occupational therapist’s expertise in promoting independence in daily self-care activities.

B The client expresses the desire to join a support group: This need is better addressed by a social worker or a counselor who can facilitate connections to appropriate support groups and provide psychosocial support.

C The client reports pain when chewing solid foods: This issue may require assessment and intervention by a dentist or a speech therapist (if related to swallowing difficulties), not an occupational therapist.

D The client has difficulty ambulating with a walker: Physical therapists, rather than occupational therapists, typically address issues related to mobility and ambulation aids.