Question

An older adult client is receiving care on a rehabilitative medicine unit during her recovery from a stroke. She complains that the physical therapist, occupational therapist, neurologist, primary care physician, and speech language pathologist don't seem to be on the same page and that everyone has their own plan for me. How can the nurse best respond to the client's frustration?

a) Explain that each professional has a unique role in her care.
b) Apologize for the lack of coordination and promise to address it.
c) Encourage the client to communicate her concerns directly to the team.
d) Dismiss the concerns, assuring the client that all aspects of her care are well-coordinated.

Answer 1

The best response to the client's concern about the lack of coordination among her rehabilitation team is to acknowledge the issue and ensure it will be addressed. Each professional, such as the physical therapist and occupational therapist, plays a distinct role, but a collaborative approach to her care is necessary for effective recovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to the client's frustration that the various healthcare professionals involved in her recovery from a stroke do not seem to be coordinated, the best response would likely be b) Apologize for the lack of coordination and promise to address it. While each professional, like the physical therapist, occupational therapist, neurologist, primary care physician, and speech language pathologist, has a unique role, it is crucial that there is a collaborative approach to the client's care. Acknowledging the confusion and ensuring that efforts will be made to improve communication can reassure the client that her care is a priority and that the team is working together towards her recovery.

The physical therapist focuses on targeting muscles susceptible to atrophy due to the stroke and prescribes exercises to stimulate these muscles and restore function. The occupational therapist assesses and helps the client relearn daily activities, while the neurologist would monitor the client's neurological status, and the speech language pathologist addresses communication and swallowing issues. Coordination amongst the rehabilitation team is essential not only for the efficacy of the interventions but also to provide the client with a sense of support and confidence in her recovery journey.