What is the most appropriate team member to assist a nurse in advocating for a client who is unsteady and cannot get up from a chair alone?

In this scenario, the most appropriate team member to assist a nurse in advocating for a client who is unsteady and cannot get up from a chair alone is the occupational therapist.

Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). They work with clients to develop strategies and techniques to enhance their independence and overall function. In cases where a client struggles with mobility or transferring from a chair, an occupational therapist can assess the client’s needs and recommend adaptive equipment or modifications to their environment to facilitate safer and easier movements.

Furthermore, occupational therapists can provide hands-on assistance and education for both the client and the nursing staff, ensuring safe practices and addressing the specific challenges the client faces. Their expertise in functional abilities directly aligns with the needs presented in the scenario, making them the most suitable professional to aid in client advocacy for mobility assistance.

While social workers, physical therapists, and clinical psychologists each have valuable roles within a healthcare team, they do not focus as directly on the functional aspects of daily living in the context of mobility as occupational therapists do.