A nurse is reviewing legal issues in health care with a group of newly licensed nurses. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Rationale:

A. Case manager: A case manager coordinates overall care and resources for clients but does not provide direct interventions to improve fine motor skills affected by neuropathy.

B. Physical therapist: Physical therapy focuses on improving gross motor function, strength, balance, and mobility, rather than fine motor activities like buttoning clothes.

C. Social worker: Social workers assist with psychosocial support, community resources, and counseling, but they do not address functional limitations caused by neuropathy.

D. Occupational therapist: Occupational therapy specializes in helping clients perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and can provide adaptive techniques or devices to improve fine motor function, such as buttoning clothes, which is appropriate for this client’s needs.

A. Request an interpreter of a different sex from the client: The interpreter’s sex should ideally match the client’s preference for comfort and privacy, but this is not the first action. The priority is understanding facility policy and proper use of interpreters.

B. Request a family member or friend to interpret information for the client: Using family or friends can lead to miscommunication, breaches of confidentiality, or bias. Professional interpreters are preferred to ensure accurate and complete information.

C. Direct attention toward the interpreter when speaking to the client: When using an interpreter, the nurse should maintain eye contact and direct communication to the client, not the interpreter, to foster rapport and respect.

D. Review the facility policy about the use of an interpreter: Reviewing policy ensures that the nurse follows legal, ethical, and professional guidelines for language access services. This is the appropriate first action before arranging or using an interpreter.