The practical nurse (PN) is assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure (HF). What intervention is most important for the PN to implement?

- A terminally ill client is a client who has a progressive and incurable disease or condition that is expected to result in death within a short period of time, such as months or weeks. A terminally ill client may require palliative care, which is the care that focuses on relieving pain and suffering and improving the quality of life for the client and their family.

- An admission assessment is the process of collecting information about a client's health status, needs, preferences, and goals when they are admited to a health care facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice. An admission assessment helps to establish a baseline for the client's condition, plan and implement appropriate interventions, and evaluate the outcomes of care.

- A health care proxy is a legal document that allows a client to appoint another person, such as a family member or a friend, to make health care decisions for them if they become unable to do so themselves. A health care proxy may also include specific instructions or preferences about the type and extent of care that the client wishes to receive or refuse, such as life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, or organ donation.

- Health care proxy documentation is an important information that the practical nurse (PN) should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility, as it reflects the client's autonomy, dignity, and wishes regarding their end-of-life care. It also helps to ensure that the client's healthcare decisions are respected and followed by the healthcare team and the facility.

- Therefore, option A is the correct answer, while options B, C, and D are incorrect.

Option B is incorrect because the name of the funeral home to contact is not relevant or necessary for the admission assessment of a terminally ill client, as it does not affect their health status or care plan.

Option C is incorrect because the client's wishes regarding organ donation may be included in their health care proxy documentation, but they are not required or essential for the admission assessment of a terminally ill client.

Option D is incorrect because the contact information for the client's next of kin may be useful for communication and support purposes, but it is not as important as the health care proxy documentation for the admission assessment of a terminally ill client.

Choice A rationale:

Concerns about parenting. While concerns about parenting are important to address during prenatal care, the initial visit focuses on gathering essential information and providing education related to pregnancy and childbirth. Knowledge about labor and delivery is crucial for the client to understand the process and make informed decisions.

Choice B rationale:

Cultural practices related to childbearing. Cultural practices related to childbearing are also essential topics to discuss during prenatal care, but they may not be the highest priority at the initial visit. Understanding the client's cultural background and beliefs is important, but providing information about pregnancy and childbirth should take precedence during the first prenatal visit.

Choice C rationale:

Complications associated with childbirth. Discussing complications associated with childbirth is important, but it may be overwhelming for a client during the initial prenatal visit. The primary focus should be on providing basic information and addressing immediate questions and concerns, with more in-depth discussions about complications occurring in subsequent visits.

Choice D rationale:

Knowledge about labor and delivery. This is the correct choice because the initial prenatal visit should include education about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Providing the client with essential knowledge about what to expect during labor and delivery empowers her to make informed decisions and plan for her childbirth experience.