A nurse is caring for a client who tells the nurse that he feels he is being discharged from the facility too soon. Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates client advocacy?

Rationale:

A. A client who has a prescription for compression stockings and did not receive them: Compression stockings are used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and other complications. If the client has not received them, this is a safety concern that requires immediate nursing attention. The AP should report this so the nurse can ensure the prescription is implemented.

B. A client who consumes all the food from their meal tray: Eating the entire meal indicates adequate oral intake and nutrition. While this is positive information, it does not require immediate reporting to the nurse.

C. A client who requests to sit in the bedside chair while watching TV: This is a routine activity of daily living that the AP can assist with as appropriate. It does not indicate a change in condition or a safety concern that must be reported.

D. A client who requests assistance to use the bedside commode: The AP can safely assist with toileting and does not need to report this unless there is a change in the client’s condition or an incident occurs. This is within the scope of AP duties.

Rationale:

A. Inform the transferring agency of the client's condition: While notifying the transferring facility may be part of documentation or reporting, it does not directly address suspicions of abuse. The priority is to gather accurate information from the client in a safe and confidential manner before reporting.

B. Notify risk management: Risk management may be involved in internal investigation processes, but contacting them is not the first step when abuse is suspected. Immediate priority is assessing the client’s safety and obtaining information about the injuries.

C. Privately interview the client about the injuries: Conducting a private, nonjudgmental interview allows the nurse to gather direct information about the cause of the injuries without influence or intimidation from others. This is a critical first step in identifying potential elder abuse, ensuring the client’s safety, and providing evidence for appropriate reporting.

D. Contact the family regarding the client's condition: Contacting family members before assessing the client can compromise the investigation, particularly if family members are potential perpetrators. Privacy and safety of the client must be prioritized before involving others.