Question

Mrs. Lawrence is an elderly diabetic patient who is on Medicare. She recently injured her lower left leg, and since then has had trouble with open sores or ulcers on that leg. She came to the office last week to have the physician examine and treat the ulcers. At that time, you checked, and she qualified for Medicaid as well as Medicare. She has come to the office today for follow-up care and treatment. Which of the following should you do first?

Answer 1

To provide appropriate care for Mrs. Lawrence, verify her Medicaid and Medicare coverage first, then assess and treat her leg ulcers promptly to prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the appropriate actions to take when an elderly diabetic patient, Mrs. Lawrence, who qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid, comes in for follow-up care and treatment of ulcers on her lower left leg. The primary focus should be on checking her eligibility and coverage under both Medicare and Medicaid before proceeding with her treatment to ensure that all her medical costs are properly addressed. Additionally, the patient's wounds should be assessed, and any necessary medical intervention should be provided promptly.

Given Mrs. Lawrence's diabetic condition and her recent injury, it is vital to provide her with proper wound care to prevent complications like infections or further deterioration that could lead to severe outcomes such as amputation, a risk highlighted in the provided cases of diabetic patients.