Question

the nurse caring for a client who is recovering after a motor vehicle accident is planning for the client to begin increasing responsibility for self-care. which would be the nurses most appropriate strategy?

• the nurse tells the client that recovery is progressing too slowly.
• the nurse consults with the health care provider to plan an early discharge.
• the nurse encourages the client to take a shower instead of receiving a bed bath.
• the nurse instructs the family to stop performing tasks for the client.

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical scenario

The client is recovering from a motor vehicle accident, and the nurse is planning to help them increase their responsibility for self-care. Promoting independence and self-care is a core component of Principles of Care Planning in rehabilitative nursing.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: Telling the client recovery is progressing too slowly is non-therapeutic, discouraging, and subjective.
• Option 2: Planning an early discharge with the provider does not directly address the client's incremental, day-to-day progression toward self-care.
• Option 3: Encouraging the client to take a shower instead of receiving a bed bath is a concrete, progressive step that actively promotes independence and self-care in a safe, manageable way.
• Option 4: Instructing the family to stop performing tasks is confrontational and excludes the family from supportive care, rather than collaborating with them.

Select the best strategy

Encouraging a transition from passive care (bed bath) to active self-care (taking a shower) directly aligns with rehabilitative goals.

Answer:

• The nurse tells the client that recovery is progressing too slowly.
• The nurse consults with the health care provider to plan an early discharge.
• The nurse encourages the client to take a shower instead of receiving a bed bath. (Correct answer)
• The nurse instructs the family to stop performing tasks for the client.