During a routine visit, an elderly patient who requires assistance with daily activities expresses dissatisfaction with their current living situation, mentioning they often feel isolated and neglected by family members. Although the patient has no physical signs of harm, they appear malnourished and are experiencing frequent, unexplained weight loss. What should the medical assistant consider doing based on this information?
Prescribe a nutritional supplement without reporting, assuming the patient’s complaints are part of the aging process.
Initiate a report to adult protective services for possible elder neglect.
Schedule more frequent appointments to monitor the patient's nutritional status before taking further action.
Note the concerns in the patient’s chart and advise the patient to discuss living arrangements with their family.
Given the signs of possible neglect, such as malnourishment and unexplained weight loss, the medical assistant should consider the option to report the situation to the appropriate authorities, such as adult protective services. While the patient's expressed dissatisfaction might not directly allege abuse or exploitation, the physical signs and symptoms presented could be indicative of neglect, warranting further investigation by professionals who can assess and intervene as needed.
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