Edited Text
A nurse is auditing a client. During the assessment, the nurse notes the client has multiple cavities, chipped, and missing teeth. The client reports having difficulty eating. Which diet should the nurse recommend the primary health care provider to order for this client?

Choice A Reason:

Ask close-ended questions is incorrect. Close-ended questions typically elicit short, specific responses such as “yes” or “no.” While they can be useful in certain situations, they do not provide enough information to thoroughly assess a client’s mental status. Open-ended questions allow the client to express themselves more fully, providing the nurse with better insight into their cognitive function.

Choice B Reason:

Ask open-ended questions is correct. Open-ended questions encourage the client to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings, which can reveal more about their mental status. This type of questioning helps the nurse assess the client’s orientation, memory, and thought processes more effectively.

Choice C Reason:

Use directive questions is incorrect. Directive questions are more structured and guide the client towards specific answers. While they can be useful for obtaining specific information, they do not allow for a comprehensive assessment of the client’s mental status.

Choice D Reason:

Use reflective questions is incorrect. Reflective questions are used to encourage the client to think more deeply about their responses and feelings. While they can be helpful in therapeutic settings, they are not the most effective for an initial assessment of mental status.

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.