A nurse manager at a long-term care facility is engaged in efforts to change many staff members' inaccurate and negative views of older adults. When talking with the staff, which statement indicates the need for the nurse manager to intervene?

A. Dependency:

This client, who was once a successful bank president and active community leader, may struggle with the loss of independence and the need to rely on others for daily care. Feelings of dependency can be particularly challenging for individuals who were once highly independent and influential.

B. Mortality:

Mortality is a universal concern for individuals, especially as they age, but it is not specifically tied to the client's previous occupation or lifestyle before entering the nursing home.

C. Family:

Although family is important, the scenario does not specifically indicate any issues or changes related to family dynamics that would be the primary focus. The primary concern would be the client’s adjustment to the new living situation and the associated loss of independence.

D. Unemployment:

Unemployment is not relevant in this context, as the client has been retired since age 70.

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.