A nurse is providing end-of-life care to an older female client who practices Judaism. Which intervention would the nurse identify as potentially problematic for this client and her family?

A. Offer the client options in the health care provided to him or her: This intervention recognizes the client's autonomy and empowers them to make choices about their healthcare. By offering options, the nurse respects the client's preferences and allows them to participate in decision-making, which can enhance their sense of control and satisfaction with their care.

B. Defer to the client in all matters of health care: While it's important to respect the client's autonomy and involve them in decision-making, deferring to the client in all matters of healthcare may not always be appropriate. Healthcare decisions should be made collaboratively, considering the client's preferences along with the healthcare provider's expertise and evidence-based practice.

C. Ask open-ended questions to determine health knowledge: Open-ended questions encourage the client to express their thoughts, concerns, and preferences freely. By asking open-ended questions, the nurse can gain insight into the client's level of health literacy, understanding of their condition, and preferences for care. This information can inform the development of a tailored care plan that meets the client's individual needs.

D. Encourage the client to join the resident council: Joining the resident council allows the client to actively participate in decision-making processes within the long-term care facility. It provides them with a platform to voice their opinions, advocate for their needs, and contribute to the improvement of facility policies and practices. This involvement can enhance the client's sense of empowerment, social connectedness, and overall satisfaction with their living environment.

E. Inform the client that the healthcare provider has the final say in care: While healthcare providers play a crucial role in guiding and implementing healthcare decisions, it's essential to emphasize shared decision-making and collaborative care. Informing the client that the healthcare provider has the final say may undermine their autonomy and discourage active participation in decision-making. Instead, the focus should be on fostering a partnership between the client and healthcare team, where decisions are made collaboratively based on mutual respect, trust, and shared goals.

A. The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.

In healthcare settings, registered nurses are responsible for delegating tasks to unlicensed care providers within their scope of practice. If a registered nurse directs an unlicensed care provider to perform a task outside of their scope of practice, the nurse can be held liable for any resulting harm to the patient. It's essential for nurses to delegate tasks appropriately and ensure that unlicensed personnel are only assigned tasks that they are trained and authorized to perform.

B. The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.

While unlicensed care providers must also adhere to their scope of practice, it is ultimately the responsibility of the registered nurse to ensure that tasks are delegated appropriately. If the registered nurse directs the unlicensed care provider to perform tasks beyond their scope, both parties may be held accountable, but the nurse has a higher level of responsibility due to their licensure and authority.

C. Liability rests with the company that owns the healthcare facility.

While the healthcare facility may have some level of responsibility for ensuring appropriate staffing and training, in this scenario, the immediate accountability lies with the registered nurse who directed the unlicensed care provider to perform tasks outside of their scope of practice.

D. In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.

Performing tasks outside of one's scope of practice is never legally permissible, regardless of whether harm occurs. Nurses and other healthcare providers must adhere to professional standards and regulations regarding delegation and scope of practice to ensure patient safety and quality care.