A gerontologic nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about integumentary changes that occur in older adults, such as thinning skin. How should these students best integrate these changes into care planning?
By avoiding the use of ice packs to treat muscle pain
By protecting older adults against excessive sweat accumulation
By protecting older adults against shearing injuries
By avoiding the use of lotion on older adults' skin
The Correct Answer is C
A. Avoiding the use of ice packs to treat muscle pain - While ice packs can cause skin damage in older adults with thinning skin, it is not the most appropriate response to the question. Protecting against shearing injuries is a more direct and specific concern related to thinning skin.
B. Protecting older adults against excessive sweat accumulation - Excessive sweat accumulation can lead to skin irritation, but this option does not directly address the issue of thinning skin as the primary concern in the question.
C. By protecting older adults against shearing injuries
Thinning skin in older adults makes them more vulnerable to skin injuries, especially shearing injuries. Shearing occurs when the skin is pulled in one direction while the underlying bone and tissues are pulled in the opposite direction. This can lead to skin tears and other wounds, which can be painful and slow to heal in older adults. Nurses should take special precautions to prevent shearing injuries, such as using lift sheets or sliding devices when moving patients, and ensuring that patients are repositioned frequently to reduce friction and shearing forces.
D. Avoiding the use of lotion on older adults' skin - Proper moisturization of the skin is important, especially in older adults, to prevent dryness and skin breakdown. Avoiding lotion is not a recommended practice; instead, choosing appropriate, non-irritating lotions can help maintain skin integrity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Urine culture and sensitivity
Explanation: A urine culture and sensitivity test involves growing bacteria from a urine sample in a laboratory setting. Once the bacteria have grown, they are exposed to different antibiotics to see which one is most effective in inhibiting their growth. This helps healthcare providers identify the specific strain of bacteria causing the infection and choose the most appropriate antibiotic treatment.
B. Serum creatinine level
Explanation: Serum creatinine level is a blood test used to measure kidney function. It evaluates how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. While important for assessing kidney health, it does not determine the specific bacteria causing a urinary tract infection or the appropriate antibiotic treatment.
C. Urinalysis
Explanation: Urinalysis is a broad screening test that assesses various components in the urine, such as red and white blood cells, protein, glucose, and bacteria. While it can detect signs of a urinary tract infection (such as the presence of bacteria and white blood cells), it does not identify the specific bacterial strain causing the infection or provide information about antibiotic sensitivity.
D. Kidney scan
Explanation: A kidney scan, also known as a renal scan, is a medical imaging technique used to assess the structure and function of the kidneys. It can help diagnose conditions like kidney stones, urinary obstruction, or kidney infections. However, it does not determine the strain of bacteria causing a urinary tract infection or guide antibiotic treatment.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) - While VTE can cause leg pain and swelling, the presence of fever, chills, and localized trauma history in this scenario points more toward cellulitis.
B. Cellulitis
The client's symptoms, including pain, swelling, fever, chills, and sweating, are indicative of cellulitis, which is a bacterial skin infection. The history of trauma to the leg (hitting the leg on the car door) could have introduced bacteria into the skin, leading to the infection. The client's diabetes mellitus type 2 also increases the risk of developing skin infections due to impaired immune function and circulation. Cellulitis often presents with localized pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and systemic symptoms like fever and chills. Immediate medical evaluation and appropriate antibiotic treatment are necessary for cellulitis.
C. Arterial insufficiency - Arterial insufficiency typically presents with symptoms like intermittent claudication, rest pain, and non-healing wounds due to poor circulation. The symptoms described in the scenario are more consistent with an acute infection (cellulitis) rather than chronic arterial insufficiency.
D. Thrombocytopenia - Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by low platelet count and does not directly cause localized pain, swelling, and redness in the leg as described in the scenario.
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