Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, what is the nurse's priority action for an older adult client with pneumonia refusing hospital admission?

Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, what is the nurse's priority action for an older adult client with pneumonia refusing hospital admission?

• A. Encourage verbalization of fears
• B. Provide teaching about new medications
• C. Determine respiratory status
• D. Assess nutritional needs

Answer: (C)

In the context of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the priority action for a nurse when dealing with an older adult client with pneumonia who is refusing hospital admission is to determine respiratory status. This is because physiological needs, such as adequate oxygenation and respiratory function, are the most fundamental level of needs that must be addressed before anything else can be effectively managed. Pneumonia can significantly compromise respiratory function, leading to decreased oxygen levels and potential respiratory failure. Therefore, ensuring that the client's basic physiological need for adequate breathing and oxygen supply is met is paramount. Once the respiratory status is assessed, specific interventions can be planned based on the findings, which informs whether the client may need immediate medical attention or additional support. Encouraging verbalization of fears or providing teaching about new medications, while important, are interventions that come after addressing critical physiological needs. Similarly, assessing nutritional needs is also essential, but in the presence of a respiratory condition like pneumonia, the immediate concern is the client's ability to breathe effectively. Therefore, evaluating the respiratory status takes precedence in this scenario.

In the context of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the priority action for a nurse when dealing with an older adult client with pneumonia who is refusing hospital admission is to determine respiratory status. This is because physiological needs, such as adequate oxygenation and respiratory function, are the most fundamental level of needs that must be addressed before anything else can be effectively managed.

Pneumonia can significantly compromise respiratory function, leading to decreased oxygen levels and potential respiratory failure. Therefore, ensuring that the client's basic physiological need for adequate breathing and oxygen supply is met is paramount. Once the respiratory status is assessed, specific interventions can be planned based on the findings, which informs whether the client may need immediate medical attention or additional support.

Encouraging verbalization of fears or providing teaching about new medications, while important, are interventions that come after addressing critical physiological needs. Similarly, assessing nutritional needs is also essential, but in the presence of a respiratory condition like pneumonia, the immediate concern is the client's ability to breathe effectively. Therefore, evaluating the respiratory status takes precedence in this scenario.