If a client develops a worsening cough that they want to keep secret, what should you do?

When a client develops a worsening cough, it's crucial to prioritize their health and safety. While confidentiality is important in client relationships, the most significant responsibility as a home care aide is to ensure that clients receive appropriate care. Reporting this change in the client's condition to your supervisor or case manager is essential because they may need to assess the situation, provide further medical guidance, or arrange for necessary treatments.

The worsening cough might indicate a more serious underlying health issue that requires professional attention. By informing your supervisor or case manager, you are acting in the best interest of the client and ensuring that they receive the care and support they need. It's important to consider that even if the client wishes to keep the issue secret, your responsibility to their health and wellbeing takes precedence.

Other choices, such as simply respecting confidentiality without reporting or waiting for the client to mention it again, could result in delays in care that might worsen the client's health condition. Additionally, giving the client cough medicine or cough drops without addressing the underlying cause of the cough is not an appropriate course of action, as it does not provide the necessary medical evaluation or intervention that could be required.