Question

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who was admitted 3 days ago with fractured ribs bilaterally and is suspected of being abused by his caregiver. Which of the following should be the nurse's priority goal?

a) Administering pain medication regularly
b) Ensuring the client's safety and protection
c) Facilitating communication with the caregiver
d) Initiating legal actions against the caregiver

Answer 1

The nurse's priority goal should be ensuring the client's safety and protection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's priority goal in this situation should be ensuring the client's safety and protection. While administering pain medication regularly is important for the client's comfort, it is secondary to ensuring their safety from ongoing abuse. Facilitating communication with the caregiver may be necessary for gathering information, but it should not take precedence over the client's safety. Initiating legal actions against the caregiver should be addressed, but it is not the primary goal at this stage.