An 81-year-old client with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease needs surgery. There is a living will on file. Which direction will the nurse follow to determine who should provide consent?

A. A 79-year-old woman who has dysphagia following her recent stroke:

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, following a stroke is a serious condition that requires careful management to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia or malnutrition. While dysphagia presents challenges, it may not necessarily indicate a deficit in knowledge, experience, or skills on the part of the client. Dysphagia management typically involves interventions by healthcare professionals rather than self-management by the client.

B. An 80-year-old man, newly diagnosed with diabetes, who shows an inability to manipulate glucometer and test strips:

This scenario suggests a deficit in knowledge and skills related to managing diabetes, a chronic condition that requires ongoing monitoring of blood glucose levels. Proper use of a glucometer and test strips is essential for self-management of diabetes. The client's inability to manipulate these devices indicates a potential gap in understanding or ability to perform necessary self-care tasks, which could compromise his health if left unaddressed.

C. An 89-year-old man who has recently lost the ability to climb stairs due to an exacerbation of his heart failure:

Losing the ability to climb stairs due to heart failure exacerbation is a significant functional decline rather than a deficit in knowledge, experience, or skills. While it may impact the client's mobility and quality of life, it doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of understanding or skills that could compromise health. The focus for this client would be on managing the exacerbation of heart failure and potentially regaining functional abilities through rehabilitation or other interventions.

D. A 78-year-old woman who states that she lost all hope since her spouse's death 5 months prior and no longer wants to stay active:

This scenario suggests emotional distress and loss of motivation following the death of the client's spouse rather than a deficit in knowledge, experience, or skills related to health management. While emotional well-being is important for overall health, addressing this issue would involve psychosocial support and interventions rather than focusing solely on deficits in knowledge or skills.

A. Educator:

In this role, the nurse imparts knowledge and teaches the client about their health condition, including its causes, symptoms, management strategies, and preventive measures. The nurse provides information in a clear and understandable manner, tailoring the education to the client's individual needs and preferences. In the context of stress incontinence, the nurse may teach the client about pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, lifestyle modifications, and other techniques to manage the condition effectively.

B. Caregiver:

In the role of a caregiver, the nurse provides direct physical care and assistance to the client, such as helping with activities of daily living, administering medications, and providing emotional support. While caring for a client with stress incontinence may involve assisting with hygiene and addressing related concerns, such as skin care, the primary focus of the nurse in this scenario is on educating the client about managing the condition rather than providing hands-on care.

C. Advocate:

As an advocate, the nurse acts on behalf of the client to ensure their rights, preferences, and needs are respected and addressed within the healthcare system. This may involve advocating for appropriate treatment options, facilitating communication between the client and healthcare providers, and helping the client make informed decisions about their care. While advocacy is an important aspect of nursing practice, it may not be the primary role in this scenario, where the focus is on educating the client about managing stress incontinence.

D. Innovator:

The role of an innovator involves implementing new ideas, approaches, or technologies to improve patient care and outcomes. While nurses may engage in innovative practices to address various healthcare challenges, such as developing new treatment protocols or implementing evidence-based interventions, the act of educating a client about managing stress incontinence does not necessarily involve innovation in this context. Instead, it primarily involves applying established knowledge and best practices to meet the client's needs.