A client who has been the recipient of home health care has made the d

A client who has been the recipient of home health care has made the decision to discontinue hemodialysis. The client understands all the consequences of this decision and is not supported by his family.

The nurse is meeting with the family to help them understand the significance of the client’s decision and to help them support the client during this difficult time. In this situation, the nurse is acting in which of the following roles?
1. Caregiver
2. Advocate
3. Educator
4. Counselor

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The home health nurse’s major role as caregiver is to assess and diagnose the client’s actual and potential health problems. That is not the role described here.
Rationale 2: As a client advocate, the nurse explores and supports the client’s choices in health care. Advocacy includes having discussions about the client’s rights, advance medical directives, living wills, and durable power of attorney for health care. At times, the client’s views may vary from those of other family members. In the event of conflict, the nurse ensures that the client’s rights and desires are upheld.
Rationale 3: AThe educator role focuses on teaching illness care, prevention of problems, and promotion of optimal wellness or well-being. That is not the role described here.
Rationale 4: Counselor is not a role for the home health nurse.