Question

A 25-year-old patient has returned home following extensive rehabilitation for a C8 spinal cord injury. The home care nurse visits and notices that the patient's spouse and parents are performing many of the activities of daily living (ADLs) that the patient had been managing during rehabilitation. The most appropriate action by the nurse at this time is to

a. tell the family members that the patient can perform ADLs independently.
b. remind the patient about the importance of independence in daily activities.
c. recognize that it is important for the patient's family to be involved in the patient's care and support their activities.
d. develop a plan to increase the patient's independence in consultation with the with the patient, spouse, and parents.

Answer 1

The best course of action is to develop a plan to increase the patient's independence with input from the patient and their family, promoting autonomy while recognizing the family's role in caregiving.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate action by the nurse when noticing that a patient with a C8 spinal cord injury is being overly assisted by family members in activities of daily living (ADLs), is d. develop a plan to increase the patient's independence in consultation with the patient, spouse, and parents. This approach ensures that the patient's progress towards independence is supported while also respecting the role of the family in the patient's care. It is crucial to strike a balance between fostering the patient's autonomy and acknowledging the family's desire to be involved in care, which can be especially important in cultures where family caregiving is a significant expectation.