A nurse is caring for a client who has early-stage Alzheimer's disease. In which of the following actions is the nurse acting as a client advocate?

Rationale:

A. Teaching about a prescribed diet is within the scope of practice of a dietitian or nurse. They can provide instructions on dietary modifications, restrictions, and nutritional counseling, which do not require a social worker’s involvement.

B. Assisting with range-of-motion exercises is part of physical therapy or nursing care. Physical therapists assess and implement mobility and exercise programs to improve function and prevent complications such as pneumonia or deep vein thrombosis.

C. Teaching about home oxygen is typically managed by a nurse or respiratory therapist, who can educate the client and family on safe oxygen use, maintenance of equipment, and monitoring oxygen saturation at home.

D. Arranging financial resources to purchase medications is an appropriate reason to involve a social worker. Social workers help clients identify and access financial assistance programs, insurance benefits, or community resources. They also provide guidance on navigating healthcare systems and overcoming socioeconomic barriers that might affect the client’s adherence to treatment and overall recovery.

Rationale:
A. Staffing additional assistive personnel each shift increases labor costs and does not directly reduce treatment costs. While adequate staffing is important for safety and quality care, adding staff without evidence of need is not cost-effective.

B. Planning budget needs based on average client stay over 6 months may not accurately reflect current patient acuity or variability. Relying solely on averages can lead to under- or overestimation of resource needs, limiting effective cost management.

C. Reserving budgetary planning for senior management excludes the nursing staff who are directly involved in care delivery. Frontline nurses often identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings, so excluding them can reduce the effectiveness of cost-reduction strategies.

D. Encouraging staff participation in quality improvement (QI) projects is an effective way to reduce costs. QI projects focus on improving efficiency, reducing errors, minimizing unnecessary treatments or hospital stays, and enhancing patient outcomes. By engaging staff in QI initiatives, the unit can implement evidence-based practices that lower costs while maintaining or improving quality of care.