Question

An 80-year-old man comes into the emergency room by himself with a broken hand. When the hospital social worker approaches the client, he appears confused and is unable to answer questions or provide information about what happened. What should the social worker do NEXT?

Score: 1 of 1
A. Give the client time to calm down and then reassess.
B. Ask the client for permission to contact a family member.
D. Consult with a colleague or supervisor about how to proceed.

Answer 1

The social worker should B. Ask the client for permission to contact a family member to ensure the patient's safety and obtain vital information, while respecting ethical and legal guidelines.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this situation, the social worker should take the following step:

B. Ask the client for permission to contact a family member.

The social worker's priority is to ensure the well-being and safety of the patient, which involves assessing the patient's mental and physical state. Given the patient's confusion and inability to provide information, it is crucial to find someone who can help fill in the gaps about his current condition and medical history.

Situation-awareness is vital; observing the patient's condition, ensuring there is no immediate danger, and deciding on the best course of action, all under professional judgment and hospital policies. Consulting with colleagues or supervisors can be helpful in complex cases, but immediate attention to the patient's confusion and potential inability to make decisions is imperative.