A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a hearing aid. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when the client reports hearing a whistling sound from the hearing aid?

Choice A Reason:

Chicken is incorrect. Chicken is a type of poultry and is a meat product. Lacto-vegetarians do not consume meat, including poultry, as part of their dietary choices.

Choice B Reason:

Clam chowder is incorrect. Clam chowder is a soup typically made with clams and often contains ingredients like broth or cream, which may not align with a lacto-vegetarian diet. It includes seafood, which is excluded in lacto-vegetarian dietary practices.

Choice C Reason:

Tuna fish is incorrect. Tuna fish is a type of seafood and is not consumed in lacto-vegetarian diets. Lacto-vegetarians exclude all types of fish and seafood from their diet and primarily consume dairy products along with plant-based foods.

Given that the client follows a lacto-vegetarian diet, the most appropriate food choice from the options provided would be:

Choice D is Reason:

Cheese is correct. A lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but excludes meat and seafood. Cheese, being a dairy product, aligns with the lacto-vegetarian dietary pattern as it is derived from milk and fits within the dietary preferences of this individual.

Choice A Reason:

To an employer for a pre-employment screening is correct. Generally, healthcare information disclosure to an employer for pre-employment screening requires the client's written consent. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy regulations typically protect a client's health information from disclosure to employers without explicit authorization from the client.

Choice B Reason:

To a medical interpreter service on behalf of a client is incorrect. In situations where a medical interpreter service is required to facilitate communication between the healthcare provider and the client, limited disclosure of health information may be necessary to ensure proper care. However, the information shared should be relevant to the immediate healthcare needs and should not exceed what's necessary for effective communication.

Choice C Reason:

To a family member when the client is not available is incorrect. In certain circumstances, especially if the client is incapacitated or unavailable, disclosing limited health information to a family member might be necessary for the client's best interests, such as for care coordination or emergencies. However, the information shared should be limited to what's essential and relevant to the situation.

Choice D Reason:

To an insurance agency in regard to a life insurance policy is incorrect. Health information disclosure to an insurance agency might be permitted in the context of processing a life insurance policy, typically under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and as allowed by state laws. However, this disclosure is usually limited to information necessary for underwriting the policy and may not require the client's explicit written consent.