A 50-year-old client with type 2 diabetes meets with the care team; history includes depression and overeating during stress. Current findings include hemoglobin A1c 11.0% and the client reports low motivation to cook or exercise. What is the nurse's PRIORITY when working with the interdisciplinary team (nurse, physician, dietitian) to build an effective plan?
- Identify the client's goals and barriers and coordinate integrated interventions (nutrition plan, medication plan, and behavioral supports) with team members (correct answer)
- Focus only on lowering the A1c by recommending strict carbohydrate elimination without team input
- Ask the dietitian to prescribe antidepressant therapy to improve motivation
- Postpone planning until the client demonstrates consistent self-monitoring for several weeks
Explanation: This question tests interdisciplinary collaboration and communication in multifaceted diabetes care. The primary goal of interdisciplinary teamwork in this scenario is to create a cohesive plan addressing motivation, nutrition, and medications holistically. Identifying goals and coordinating integrated interventions reflects optimal team collaboration by merging disciplines for comprehensive support. Focusing only on A1c elimination is unsustainable; asking dietitian for antidepressants oversteps; postponing delays care. Effective team communication involves sharing barriers like low motivation for unified strategies. Collaboration principles include patient goals in behavioral and medical planning. A transferable strategy for interdisciplinary teamwork is to center plans on client-identified barriers, integrating team expertise.