An elderly client is being discharged home after a short illness and s

An elderly client is being discharged home after a short illness and stay in acute care. The physician has written an order for home health follow-up.

In order to better understand the need for any assistive devices, the home health nurse makes an assessment:
1. At the initial home visit, in order to see the client in the home environment
2. While the client is still a patient in the acute care hospital
3. After the client has been home a few days and can help the nurse decide what is needed
4. When the spouse is available to assist in the assesssment

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Once the client is at home, the need for the devices will be immediate and the client may have to wait unnecessarily for the required items.
Rationale 2: Assessment for the elderly client being discharged to home health should be initiated while the client is in the hospital to determine the need for assistive devices or environmental changes before the client returns home.
Rationale 3: Waiting a few days is a delay that is not beneficial for the client who requires these items upon arriving home.
Rationale 4: Waiting until the spouse is able to help is a delay that is not beneficial for the client who requires these items upon arriving home.