The client is being discharged from an acute care facility following a

The client is being discharged from an acute care facility following a total hip replacement. She will need follow-up for her rehabilitation and exercise plan. In addition to a home health care nurse, what referral should be discussed?

1. Dietitian
2. Social worker
3. Physical therapist
4. Respiratory therapist

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Directing clients to appropriate resources and improving continuity of care require the nurse to know those resources well. A physical therapist is responsible for the client’s movement system and is likely to be needed following hip replacement surgery.
A social worker may or may not be necessary. A dietitian may or may not be necessary.
A respiratory therapist would not be necessary unless the client experienced a respiratory com-plication or had a preexisting respiratory condition.