A 69-year-old was prescribed a benzodiazepine 3 years ago. This medication regimen increases the patients risk for injury related to drug abuse and requires frequent patient assessment for which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Easy bleeding
Shortness of breath
Forgetfulness
Daytime sleepiness
Unsteady gait
Correct Answer : B,D,E
A. Easy bleeding is not a common side effect or concern associated with benzodiazepines. This symptom is more typically associated with anticoagulant medications or conditions affecting blood clotting. While it’s essential to monitor for side effects, easy bleeding is not directly related to benzodiazepine use.
B. Shortness of breath is not a typical side effect of benzodiazepines. However, it is important to monitor respiratory function in patients on any medication, especially if there are signs of respiratory distress or if the patient is on other medications that might interact with benzodiazepines. A
C. Benzodiazepines are known to cause cognitive impairments, including forgetfulness. This is particularly concerning in older adults, who may be more vulnerable to cognitive side effects. Memory issues and confusion can impact daily functioning and increase the risk of accidents and falls.
D. Daytime sleepiness is a common side effect of benzodiazepines due to their sedative properties. This side effect can significantly affect daily activities and increase the risk of falls and accidents. It’s essential to monitor patients for excessive drowsiness, as it can impact their safety and overall quality of life.
E. Benzodiazepines can cause motor impairment, including unsteady gait and increased risk of falls. This is particularly problematic in older adults who may already have decreased balance and coordination. Monitoring for unsteady gait is crucial to prevent falls and other injuries related to impaired mobility.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. When a patient is required to sign official documents, such as medical consent forms or advance directives, it is crucial that they understand the implications of their decisions. An interpreter can ensure that the patient fully comprehends the information and can make informed choices about their care.
B. While an interpreter can be helpful for orientation, it is not as critical as when the patient is signing official documents.
C. An interpreter can facilitate communication between the patient and the physician, ensuring that the patient's concerns and questions are fully understood. However, this is not as critical as when the patient is making important decisions about their care.
D. While it is important to provide emotional support to a patient who is upset, an interpreter may not be necessary in this situation. The nurse can use nonverbal communication and other strategies to comfort the patient and address their emotional needs.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. When a patient is taking multiple medications, it's important to review them for potential interactions. Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is common in older adults and can increase the risk of adverse drug reactions, side effects, and decreased effectiveness of medications.
B. While it's important to educate the patient about the risks of polypharmacy, the nurse's initial priority should be to assess the medications for potential interactions.
C. This is an important step in patient education, but it should be done after the nurse has reviewed the medications for potential interactions.
D. While it's important to verify the appropriateness of each medication, the nurse's initial priority should be to assess for potential interactions.
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