As a home hospice patient declines, the patient's family moves in to help. A family member is a nurse and begins to perform all of the patient care tasks that the patient's partner was previously providing. They are arguing with the patient's partner and refusing to meet with the hospice team. It is MOST important for the hospice nurse to

While consulting a social worker is beneficial for exploring care options, it does not directly address the immediate issue of family conflict and the quality of care being provided. This step may be necessary later, but first assessing the family's current situation is more urgent to ensure the patient’s needs are being met.

Increasing nurse visits could provide additional support, but it does not resolve the underlying conflict between family members or assess the quality of care. This approach may lead to further tension rather than fostering a collaborative environment among family members, which is essential for effective care.

Recommending the partner to return to care duties without understanding the family dynamics could exacerbate the situation. The partner may feel overwhelmed or unsupported, and imposing this suggestion may increase conflict rather than facilitate a cooperative approach to the patient's care.