What should the patient navigator do if they notice bruises on the patient's arm?

The best action for a patient navigator upon noticing bruises on a patient's arm is to document it and inform the healthcare team. This response is appropriate because it ensures that any potential underlying issues, such as abuse, medication side effects, or medical conditions affecting blood clotting, are properly assessed by qualified medical professionals.

Documentation provides a reliable record that can be referenced later by the healthcare team and can aid in the comprehensive evaluation of the patient's overall health. By communicating this observation to the healthcare team, the navigator helps ensure that the patient receives appropriate attention and intervention based on their specific needs. Collaboration and open communication are vital in healthcare, especially in sensitive situations, which is why alerting the team is a crucial step.

While engaging the patient directly about their safety or the cause of the bruises can also be important, these actions should generally occur after the initial documentation and communication to the healthcare team have taken place, as the primary focus should be on safety and professional evaluation.