A nurse is teaching a class about palliative care. The nurse should include that which of the following is the focus of palliative care?

Choice A Reason:

The client’s immediate family members may not always have the right to access the client’s protected health information (PHI) unless the client has given explicit consent. Confidentiality laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, are designed to protect the privacy of patients’ health information. These laws generally require that PHI be shared only with individuals who are directly involved in the patient’s care or who have been authorized by the patient. Therefore, while family members may be involved in the patient’s care, they do not automatically have the right to access PHI without the patient’s consent.

Choice B Reason:

The facility’s administrators typically do not need access to a specific client’s PHI unless it is necessary for administrative purposes related to the patient’s care or for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Administrators are generally more involved in the overall management and operation of the healthcare facility rather than in the direct care of individual patients. Sharing PHI with administrators without a valid reason could violate confidentiality laws and the patient’s right to privacy.

Choice C Reason:

Health care team members caring for the client are directly involved in the patient’s care and, therefore, have a legitimate need to access the client’s PHI. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals who are providing treatment, coordinating care, or ensuring the patient’s well-being. Sharing PHI with these individuals is essential for delivering safe and effective care, and it is permitted under confidentiality laws such as HIPAA.

Choice D Reason:

Clergy affiliated with the facility may provide spiritual support to patients, but they do not typically have a legitimate need to access the client’s PHI unless the patient has given explicit consent. While spiritual care is an important aspect of holistic healthcare, it does not require access to detailed medical information. Therefore, sharing PHI with clergy without the patient’s consent would generally be considered a violation of confidentiality laws.

Choice A Reason:

Sleep deprivation is incorrect. While sleep deprivation can cause confusion and disorientation, it is less likely to cause abrupt onset of altered mental status and hallucinations. Sleep deprivation typically results in gradual cognitive decline and fatigue rather than sudden changes.

Choice B Reason:

Normal signs of aging is incorrect. Normal aging can involve some cognitive decline, but it does not typically cause sudden and severe symptoms like hallucinations and significant disorientation. These symptoms are more indicative of an acute condition.

Choice C Reason:

Dementia is incorrect. Dementia involves a gradual decline in cognitive function over time and does not typically present with sudden onset of symptoms. While dementia can include hallucinations and disorientation, these symptoms usually develop progressively.

Choice D Reason:

Delirium is correct. Delirium is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, and changes in mental status. It is often triggered by acute medical conditions such as infections, including UTIs. Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to delirium, which can include symptoms like hallucinations and severe confusion.