A nurse treating an older adult client who has diabetes mellitus notices that the client walks with a limp, which has not been noted on their medical record. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help the client?

This scenario involves identifying a new physical finding in an older adult with diabetes. Knowledge of interdisciplinary collaboration and assessment protocols is required to ensure comprehensive care, as a limp may indicate underlying diabetic complications like neuropathy or foot ulcers. Choice A rationale . Effective geriatric care requires a multidisciplinary approach. Alerting the team ensures that physical therapy, podiatry, or the primary provider can evaluate the new gait abnormality, preventing further injury or addressing undiagnosed diabetic foot complications that may cause a limp. Choice B rationale . While community services are helpful for general support, they do not address the clinical finding of a new limp. Education on house cleaning is irrelevant to the physiological assessment and management of a potential musculoskeletal or neurological gait disturbance. Choice C rationale . Referrals should only be made after a complete nursing assessment and consultation with the primary provider. Jumping to a specialty service without gathering more data or collaborating with the existing team violates established protocols for systematic clinical evaluation. Choice D rationale . Providing an assistive device without a professional evaluation by a physical therapist is unsafe. Using a walker or cane incorrectly or when not indicated can increase the risk of falls and masks the underlying cause of the limp.