The nurse is assigning tasks to nursing assistants in a nursing home. Which would be the most appropriate instruction to give to the assistant who will care for a frail 80-year-old woman with arthritis?
A) Help her to use a bedpan.
B) Bring her meal trays to the bed.
C) Give her a bed bath, comb her hair, and brush her teeth.
D) Let the patient do as much as she can for mouth and personal care and toileting.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most appropriate instruction is to encourage independence by letting the patient do as much as she can for mouth and personal care and toileting. This approach promotes autonomy and maintains the patient's functional ability, which is crucial for elderly patients, especially those with conditions like arthritis.

The Nurse Is Assigning Tasks to Nursing Assistants in a Nursing