Care Coordination And Referrals
Help Questions
NCLEX-RN › Care Coordination And Referrals
A 41-year-old client with poorly controlled hypertension and generalized anxiety disorder is admitted for hypertensive urgency; BP is now controlled on oral medications. The client reports running out of prescriptions frequently due to lack of transportation and no primary care provider. What referral is MOST appropriate for the client's needs?
Refer the client to an orthopedic specialist to evaluate chronic headaches
Refer the client to inpatient rehabilitation to improve endurance
Refer the client to a genetic counselor to assess familial hypertension risk
Refer the client to a community health clinic or federally qualified health center for ongoing primary care and medication access
Explanation
This question tests care coordination and referrals for addressing social determinants of health. The key principle of effective care coordination is connecting clients with sustainable resources that address root causes of health disparities. Referring to a community health clinic or federally qualified health center (A) is the most appropriate action because it provides comprehensive primary care services with sliding-scale fees, medication assistance programs, and often transportation services, directly addressing the client's identified barriers. Orthopedic referral (B) is inappropriate as headaches are not an orthopedic issue; inpatient rehabilitation (C) is excessive for someone with controlled hypertension; genetic counseling (D) doesn't address the immediate access-to-care issues. The nursing process requires identifying and addressing social determinants that impact health outcomes. For clients with transportation and financial barriers, community health centers provide integrated services designed to improve access and continuity of care.
A 52-year-old client with poorly controlled hypertension is discharged from the emergency department after evaluation for headache; CT is negative and BP is improved. The client reports no transportation, limited literacy, and no primary care follow-up. Which action should the nurse take to ensure effective care coordination?
Recommend the client purchase a home BP cuff without assessing affordability
Advise the client to return to the emergency department weekly for BP checks
Provide a detailed written handout on hypertension pathophysiology and complications
Arrange follow-up at a community clinic and confirm transportation options before discharge
Explanation
This question tests knowledge of care coordination and referrals for hypertension management with access barriers. The key principle of effective care coordination is addressing social determinants like transportation and literacy to ensure follow-up adherence. Arranging follow-up at a community clinic and confirming transportation is most appropriate as it facilitates ongoing BP monitoring and education in an accessible way. Providing a handout (A) overlooks literacy issues; weekly ER visits (C) are inefficient; and recommending a BP cuff (D) ignores affordability. The underlying nursing process assesses barriers to continuity of care. Decision-making focuses on practical, client-centered solutions. A transferable strategy for effective care coordination is to integrate resource assessments into discharge planning.
A 72-year-old client with COPD and type 2 diabetes is preparing for discharge after treatment for pneumonia. The client uses a walker, becomes short of breath with minimal exertion, and lives alone in a second-floor apartment with no elevator; the client will need home oxygen and assistance obtaining medications. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action to facilitate the client's discharge?
Arrange a referral to the hospital chaplain to address anxiety about going home
Initiate a case management/social work consult to coordinate home oxygen delivery and a safe discharge plan
Notify the provider that the client may need an extended inpatient stay due to living alone
Teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing and an incentive spirometer before discharge
Explanation
This question tests care coordination and referrals for a complex discharge scenario. The key principle of effective care coordination is identifying and addressing multiple barriers to safe discharge through appropriate interdisciplinary collaboration. Initiating a case management/social work consult (D) is the most appropriate action because these professionals can comprehensively address the client's multiple needs including home oxygen setup, medication access, and safety concerns related to living alone on a second floor with mobility limitations. Teaching breathing techniques (A) is important but doesn't address the systemic barriers; chaplain referral (B) may help with anxiety but doesn't solve practical discharge needs; notifying the provider about extended stay (C) delays discharge without attempting to coordinate necessary services. The nursing process requires assessment of all discharge barriers followed by coordination of appropriate resources. When multiple complex needs exist, case management/social work consultation provides the most comprehensive coordination to ensure safe transitions of care.
A 66-year-old client is 2 days post-ischemic stroke with dysphagia and right-sided weakness. The client is medically stable for transfer from acute care to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, but the family is unsure what therapies will continue and what equipment will be needed. Which action should the nurse take to ensure effective care coordination?
Discontinue the client's aspiration precautions to simplify the handoff process
Send the transfer summary and current medication list to the rehabilitation facility and confirm receipt before transport
Delay communication with the rehab facility until after the client arrives to avoid duplicate documentation
Ask the family to bring all home medications to the rehab facility for the first week
Explanation
This question tests care coordination and referrals for facility-to-facility transfers. The key principle of effective care coordination is ensuring complete and accurate communication of the patient's current status and care needs to the receiving facility. Sending the transfer summary and medication list with confirmation of receipt (A) is the most appropriate action because it ensures continuity of care and prevents errors or omissions during transition. Discontinuing aspiration precautions (B) compromises patient safety; asking family to manage medications (C) creates confusion and potential errors; delaying communication (D) prevents the receiving facility from preparing appropriately for the patient's needs. The nursing process requires thorough handoff communication for safe transitions. For inter-facility transfers, documented communication with confirmation ensures the receiving team has all necessary information to continue appropriate care without interruption.
A 52-year-old client with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes is being discharged after treatment for cellulitis. The client has limited health literacy, states, "I can't read those pamphlets," and has no glucometer at home; the client is worried about paying for supplies. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action to facilitate the client's discharge?
Consult case management/social work to arrange coverage options for a glucometer and supplies and connect the client with outpatient diabetes resources
Advise the client to purchase a glucometer online to reduce costs
Provide printed diabetes education materials written at a college reading level
Schedule a follow-up appointment with endocrinology in 6 months
Explanation
This question tests care coordination and referrals for addressing health literacy and financial barriers. The key principle of effective care coordination is identifying and removing barriers to self-management through appropriate resource connection. Consulting case management/social work (B) is the most appropriate action because these professionals can address both the financial concerns about glucometer supplies and connect the client with diabetes education resources appropriate for limited literacy levels. Providing college-level materials (A) ignores the literacy barrier; scheduling endocrinology in 6 months (C) leaves the client without immediate support; advising online purchase (D) doesn't address the cost concern or provide education. The nursing process requires adapting interventions to patient capabilities and resources. For clients with health literacy and financial barriers, case management provides comprehensive coordination of accessible education and assistance programs.
A 45-year-old client with a history of opioid use disorder is hospitalized for cellulitis and is now medically stable for discharge. The client is uninsured, has no primary care provider, and states, "I can't keep coming back to the ER for everything." What referral is MOST appropriate for the client's ongoing support needs?
Refer to a community health clinic/primary care program with sliding-scale services
Refer to hospice to reduce future emergency department visits
Refer to inpatient psychiatry for long-term placement planning
Refer to dermatology for routine follow-up of healed cellulitis
Explanation
This question tests knowledge of care coordination and referrals for a client with substance use disorder and access barriers. The key principle of effective care coordination is connecting clients to affordable, ongoing primary care to reduce reliance on emergency services and support recovery. Referring to a community health clinic with sliding-scale services is most appropriate as it provides accessible follow-up care tailored to the client's uninsured status and prevents recurrent ER visits. Inpatient psychiatry (B) is unsuitable without acute mental health needs; dermatology (C) is unnecessary for healed cellulitis; and hospice (D) is inappropriate for a stable, non-terminal client. The underlying nursing process involves evaluating social and economic factors influencing health maintenance. Decision-making focuses on sustainable, community-based solutions for chronic conditions. A transferable strategy for effective care coordination is to prioritize referrals that bridge gaps in healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
A 66-year-old client is being transferred from an acute care hospital to an inpatient rehabilitation facility after an ischemic stroke with left-sided weakness. The client is on a dysphagia diet with thickened liquids and requires two-person assist for transfers. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action to promote a safe interfacility transfer?
Hold all medications on the day of transfer to prevent side effects during transport
Send a list of the client’s favorite foods to improve intake at rehab
Ensure the receiving facility has the current diet order, swallowing precautions, and mobility/transfer status before transport
Ask the family to bring the client’s walker to the hospital before departure
Explanation
This question tests knowledge of care coordination and referrals during interfacility transfers for post-stroke clients. The key principle of effective care coordination is ensuring continuity of critical care elements like diet, precautions, and mobility status to prevent complications. Ensuring the receiving facility has the current diet order, swallowing precautions, and mobility status is the priority as it promotes safe handoff and reduces risks like aspiration or falls. Sending favorite foods (B) is non-essential; holding medications (C) could disrupt therapy; and asking for a walker (D) assumes family availability without confirming needs. The underlying nursing process involves verifying transfer documentation for accuracy. Decision-making prioritizes safety-critical information in transitions. A transferable strategy for effective care coordination is to use standardized checklists for interfacility communications.
A 61-year-old client with newly diagnosed heart failure is being discharged on furosemide and a low-sodium diet. The client states, "I don’t understand what foods have sodium," and has a history of low health literacy. Which interdisciplinary team member should the nurse consult FIRST?
Physical therapist to develop an exercise program for endurance
Dietitian to provide individualized low-sodium meal planning and label-reading education
Radiology to repeat a chest x-ray before discharge
Chaplain to assist with coping and adjustment
Explanation
This question tests knowledge of care coordination and referrals for heart failure education with low health literacy. The key principle of effective care coordination is providing tailored, individualized teaching to enhance understanding and adherence. Consulting the dietitian first is most appropriate for low-sodium meal planning and label-reading education adapted to the client's literacy level. Physical therapy (B) focuses on exercise, not diet; chaplain (C) addresses coping, not nutrition; radiology (D) is unnecessary without indications. The underlying nursing process assesses learning needs and barriers. Decision-making emphasizes specialist input for specific self-management skills. A transferable strategy for effective care coordination is to match referrals to the client's primary knowledge gaps.
A 79-year-old client with heart failure (EF 30%), chronic kidney disease stage 3, and mild cognitive impairment is discussed at an interdisciplinary team meeting after two admissions in the past month for fluid overload. The client forgets daily weights and has difficulty following a low-sodium diet. Which action should the nurse take to ensure effective care coordination?
Ask the provider to increase the diuretic dose and recheck labs in 2 weeks
Arrange a family/caregiver meeting to establish a shared daily monitoring plan and supports
Provide written heart failure education and ask the client to repeat it back once
Recommend the client avoid all physical activity to prevent dyspnea
Explanation
This question tests knowledge of care coordination and referrals in managing heart failure with cognitive and adherence challenges. The key principle of effective care coordination is engaging family and caregivers in shared plans to support monitoring and adherence. Arranging a family/caregiver meeting is most appropriate as it establishes a collaborative daily plan for weights, diet, and supports to prevent recurrent fluid overload. Increasing the diuretic (A) risks electrolyte imbalance without addressing forgetfulness; one-time education (C) is insufficient for cognitive impairment; and avoiding activity (D) promotes deconditioning. The underlying nursing process assesses barriers to self-management and incorporates support systems. Decision-making emphasizes multidisciplinary input for tailored interventions. A transferable strategy for effective care coordination is to facilitate caregiver involvement early to enhance long-term adherence.
A 70-year-old client with Parkinson disease is preparing for discharge after a fall with a wrist fracture. The client’s daughter reports the client freezes while walking and has thrown rugs at home. What referral is MOST appropriate to reduce fall risk in the home environment?
Dermatology for assessment of bruising after the fall
Occupational therapy for home safety assessment and adaptive strategies
Cardiology for evaluation of orthostatic hypotension
Speech-language pathology for evaluation of swallowing function
Explanation
This question tests knowledge of care coordination and referrals for fall prevention in Parkinson's disease. The key principle of effective care coordination is targeting environmental modifications to mitigate mobility risks. Referring to occupational therapy is most appropriate for home safety assessment and adaptive strategies to address freezing gait and hazards like throw rugs. Speech-language pathology (B) is for swallowing, not falls; cardiology (C) addresses hypotension but not home setup; dermatology (D) is irrelevant for bruising. The underlying nursing process evaluates functional and environmental risks. Decision-making prioritizes preventive interventions for safety. A transferable strategy for effective care coordination is to refer to therapy services for home-based risk reductions.