A nurse has referred a patient to a community agency. When talking to the patient later, he states that he did not find the agency helpful. What action by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

One of the most important aspects of a community health nurse's role is to be familiar with referral agencies. Awareness of the scope of an agency's influence and services helps the community nurse to pinpoint which agencies are best able to address specific needs. The nurse may have sent this patient to an agency that did not meet his needs. The nurse should ask the patient's opinion about what services are needed. Making another appointment without ensuring that this is the right agency for the patient will not solve the problem. Telling the patient that payment might not be ensured for nonadherence is not therapeutic communication.

A Nurse Has Referred a Patient to a Community Agency