A nurse is creating a discharge plan.
Which of the following nursing statements indicates the nurse understands when discharge planning should be implemented.
"I will begin upon the client's admission to the facility.”.
"I will begin once the client's insurance company approves discharge coverage.”.
"I will begin 48 hours before the client's discharge.”.
"I will begin once the client's discharge order is written.”.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Discharge planning is a continuous process that begins the moment a client is admitted to a healthcare facility. This early initiation ensures that all potential barriers to a safe transition home, such as physical therapy needs, home safety equipment, or medication management, are addressed proactively. By starting at admission, the nursing team can coordinate with multidisciplinary providers to optimize the patient's functional status and reduce the risk of hospital readmission or complications.
Choice B rationale
Relying on insurance company approval to initiate discharge planning is an incorrect clinical approach. Insurance verification is a purely administrative and financial task that does not dictate the clinical necessity of preparing a client for life after hospitalization. Waiting for such approvals would lead to significant delays in care coordination, potentially keeping the client in the hospital longer than medically necessary and increasing the risk of healthcare-acquired infections or functional decline.
Choice C rationale
Starting discharge planning only 48 hours before the expected date of departure is often insufficient for complex cases. Many clients require specialized home health services, durable medical equipment, or placement in long-term care facilities, all of which require significant lead time to organize. This delayed approach fails to account for the comprehensive assessment of social determinants of health and physical limitations that should be evaluated throughout the entire duration of the hospital stay.
Choice D rationale
While a physician's order is legally required to physically discharge a client from the facility, the planning for that event must happen much earlier. The discharge order is the final step in a long process of preparation. If a nurse waits for this order to begin planning, they will find themselves unable to arrange necessary outpatient follow-ups or patient education, resulting in a disorganized and potentially unsafe transition from the clinical setting to the home environment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The client's symptoms of liquid stools and recent antibiotic use are highly suggestive of a Clostridium difficile infection. Antibiotics like amoxicillin/clavulanate disrupt the normal intestinal flora, allowing C. difficile to proliferate. Wearing a protective gown is a critical part of contact precautions. This barrier prevents the transmission of spores from the patient's environment to the nurse's uniform, thereby reducing the risk of carrying the infection to other patients or areas of the healthcare facility.
Choice B rationale
Given the high suspicion of a contagious enteric infection like Clostridium difficile, the client must be placed in a private room. This isolation is necessary to limit the spread of infectious spores that are shed in the stool and can contaminate the surrounding environment. Private rooms help ensure that the infection remains localized and reduces the frequency of contact between the infected individual and other susceptible patients, which is vital for effective hospital-wide infection control.
Choice C rationale
An N-95 respirator is used for airborne pathogens that travel through small particles in the air. Diarrheal illnesses, including those caused by antibiotic-associated overgrowth like C. difficile, are spread through the fecal-oral route. This means transmission occurs through touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth or food. Since the pathogen is not aerosolized through breathing or coughing, a specialized N-95 respirator is not indicated for the care of a patient with these specific symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Negative pressure rooms are utilized for patients with infections like tuberculosis to ensure that air is filtered before leaving the room. This intervention is irrelevant for a patient suffering from abdominal cramps and diarrhea. The transmission of enteric pathogens is strictly through contact. Therefore, the architectural requirement of negative pressure does not provide any protection against the spread of the bacteria responsible for the client's symptoms, making it an unnecessary and incorrect nursing intervention in this scenario.
Choice E rationale
Surgical masks are used for droplet precautions to catch large respiratory particles. Since the client's condition involves hyperactive bowel sounds and liquid stools rather than respiratory symptoms, a mask will not prevent the spread of the illness. The transmission risk for this client is related to fecal contamination of hands and surfaces. Masking the client would be an inappropriate use of personal protective equipment and would not address the actual route of transmission for enteric diseases.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor because it is a behavioral choice that an individual can change to improve health outcomes. Excessive alcohol use is linked to liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and various cancers. By modifying this behavior through cessation or moderation, a client can significantly reduce their risk profile for chronic illnesses and acute injuries related to intoxication or long-term systemic damage from ethanol.
Choice B rationale
Family history is considered a non-modifiable risk factor because it is based on genetic inheritance and biological lineage. An individual cannot change their genetic makeup or the health history of their ancestors. While knowing family history is vital for screening and early intervention, the nurse cannot include it as a factor the client can modify. It serves as a baseline for risk assessment rather than a target for behavioral intervention.
Choice C rationale
Diet is a primary modifiable risk factor that directly influences metabolic health, weight, and the development of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Clients can change their nutritional intake by choosing nutrient-dense foods and limiting processed sugars or saturated fats. Modifying dietary habits can lead to physiological changes, such as improved glucose regulation and lipid profiles, demonstrating why it is a critical focus for health promotion and teaching.
Choice D rationale
A sedentary lifestyle is a modifiable risk factor characterized by a lack of regular physical activity. Clients can modify this factor by incorporating structured exercise or increasing daily movement. Regular activity improves cardiovascular efficiency, bone density, and mental health. Addressing physical inactivity is a cornerstone of primary prevention, as it helps mitigate the risks of obesity and metabolic syndrome, which are precursors to many serious systemic health conditions.
Choice E rationale
Weight is a modifiable risk factor that is often the result of other behaviors like diet and physical activity levels. While some biological factors influence weight, it is generally considered modifiable through lifestyle interventions. Reducing excess body fat lowers the strain on the musculoskeletal system and reduces systemic inflammation. Managing weight is essential for preventing or managing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and various cardiovascular diseases.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.