An older adult client who is cognitively intact and has decision-making capacity makes a decision to stop chemotherapy for breast cancer after being told of further spread of the cancer. The client's daughter is upset at her parent's decision an approaches the nurse and states: "I don't agree with the decision to stop treatments, I am my parent's health care proxy, I want to override that decision." What is the best response by the nurse?

A. Assist with obtaining informed consent from the client.
Explanation: Informed consent is a critical aspect of healthcare procedures, but it requires the patient to have the capacity to understand and make decisions. In this scenario, the client is intubated and on mechanical ventilation, which might compromise their ability to communicate effectively. If the client lacks capacity, obtaining consent from the durable power of attorney (POA) is more appropriate.

B. Refer to the client's advance directive for a name.
Explanation: Advance directives, including the durable POA, provide guidance on a person's wishes for healthcare decisions when they are unable to communicate. However, the advance directive may not always specify a particular person's name for decisions related to specific medical interventions. The key consideration in this situation is to determine the current decision-making capacity and involve the appropriate decision-maker if needed.

C. Determine the client's inability to make reasonable decisions.
Explanation: This is the correct answer. In this scenario, the nurse should assess the client's capacity to make decisions. If the client lacks capacity, the durable POA can be activated to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the client. Capacity involves the ability to understand relevant information, appreciate the consequences of decisions, and communicate a choice.

D. Use the oral trail-making test to measure cognitive function.
Explanation: The oral trail-making test is a cognitive screening tool, but it may not be suitable in this critical care scenario with an intubated and mechanically ventilated patient. Moreover, the primary concern in this situation is determining the capacity to make healthcare decisions, which requires a more comprehensive evaluation than a specific cognitive function test. The focus should be on decision-making capacity rather than a cognitive assessment.

A. Semiprivate room.

Explanation: Medicare can cover the cost of a semiprivate room during a qualifying hospital stay or skilled nursing facility stay.

B. Hospice care.

Explanation: Medicare provides coverage for hospice care for individuals with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less.

C. Custodial care.

Explanation: Custodial care, which involves assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, is generally not covered by Medicare. Medicare primarily covers medically necessary and skilled care, such as hospital stays, certain nursing home stays, hospice care, and some home health care services. Custodial care, which focuses on assistance with routine personal care, is considered non-medical and is typically not covered by Medicare.

D. Skilled care.

Explanation: Medicare covers skilled care, including services provided by healthcare professionals such as nurses and therapists, when deemed medically necessary. Skilled care is typically required to improve or maintain a person's condition.