Question

A patient with Barrett's Esophagus comes to the office of a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) seeking refill prescriptions. The GI specialist who was previously treating the condition is no longer covered by the patient's insurance. What should the FNP do?

1) Refer the patient to a new GI specialist
2) Refill the prescriptions without consulting a GI specialist
3) Advise the patient to seek alternative treatments
4) Request the patient to find a new FNP

Answer 1

The FNP should refer the patient with Barrett's Esophagus to a new GI specialist to ensure continuity of proper care and monitoring, given the potential risks associated with the condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient with Barrett's Esophagus comes to a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) seeking refill prescriptions after their GI specialist is no longer covered by their insurance, the appropriate action would be for the FNP to refer the patient to a new GI specialist. Barrett's Esophagus is a condition that can lead to esophageal cancer and requires monitoring by a specialist. While the FNP can provide temporary refills, they should also ensure continuity of specialized care for the patient's condition. Alternative treatments without evidence or consulting a GI specialist could be unsafe, and finding a new FNP may not address the need for GI specialist care.