The home care nurse has been visiting an adolescent with recently acquired quadriplegia.The teen's mother tells the nurse,"I'm sick of providing all the care while my husband does whatever he wants,whenever he wants to do it." What is the best initial action for the nurse to take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is appropriate for the nurse to reflect with the mother about her feelings,exploring possible solutions such as an additional home health aide to help care for the child and provide respite for the mother.It is inappropriate for the nurse to agree with the mother that her husband is not helping enough,because this is a judgement beyond the nurse's role and can undermine the family relationship.Counselling is not necessary at this time.A support group for caregivers may be indicated.Privately asking the father why he doesn't help and suggesting ways the mother can get him to help are interventions based on the mother's assumption of the father's minimal contribution to the care of the child.The father may have a full-time job and other commitments.The parents need to have an involved third person help them through the negotiation of new parenting responsibilities resulting from their child's injury.

The Home Care Nurse Has Been Visiting an Adolescent with Recently