A client has a history of gastric bypass surgery within the past year. She presents to her primary care office for a check-up and states she has been troubled by several seemingly unrelated ailments: a sore tongue, tingling in her fingers, and “almost” falling several times due to lack of balance. The nurse notes that she is pale and slightly tachycardic.
Which type of anemia does the nurse suspect?

This action is intended to prevent a sentinel event, which is a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm. A sentinel event is a serious adverse event that signals the need for immediate investigation and response. Removing the wrong arm would be a devastating and irreversible outcome for the patient and the health care provider.

Choice A is wrong because the lack of healing of the stump is not a sentinel event. It is a possible complication of amputation that may be related to the natural course of the patient’s illness or underlying condition.

Choice B is wrong because ineffective control of the client’s pain is not a sentinel event. It is a quality of care issue that may affect the patient’s comfort and recovery, but it does not result in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm.

Choice D is wrong because the client being mildly sedated is not a sentinel event. It is a level of anesthesia that may be appropriate for some types of surgery, but it does not result in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm.

Hypothermia is a condition where the body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F) and affects the normal functioning of the body. Elderly people are more at risk for hypothermia because they have a lower muscle mass, a decreased

shiver reflex, and lower immunity. They also tend to have a lower body temperature and may not develop fevers when they contract a viral or bacterial illness.

Choice B. Normothermia is wrong because it means having a normal body temperature, which is around 37°C (98.6°F).

Choice C. Hyperthermia is wrong because it means having a high body temperature, which is above 37.5°C (99.5°F).

Hyperthermia can be caused by heat exposure, infection, inflammation, or certain medications.

Choice D. Malignant hyperthermia is wrong because it is a rare genetic disorder that causes a severe reaction to certain anesthetics or muscle relaxants.

It is not related to thermoregulation in elderly people.

Question 5.