A home health nurse is teaching about home modifications to promote safety for an older client following an extensive hospitalization.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
Secure electrical cords to the edges of the floor.
Mark the edges of the stairs with gray tape.
Use bathmats with foam backing.
Keep the water heater temperature below 49°C (120°F).
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Securing electrical cords to the edges of the floor can create a tripping hazard, as cords can still be lifted or become loose, potentially causing falls for an older adult with impaired gait or balance. Instead, cords should be tucked away or routed along the baseboards to minimize any elevated surfaces that could obstruct movement and lead to injury. This prevents falls.
Choice B rationale
Using tape that is gray, a color often found on floors, can decrease visibility of the stair edges, making it difficult for an older adult to perceive the steps, especially if they have age-related vision changes. Markings should be in a contrasting, bright color to enhance visual cues and improve depth perception, thus reducing the risk of missteps and falls.
Choice C rationale
Bathmats with foam backing are generally not recommended because they can be slippery when wet and may not provide sufficient grip, increasing the risk of falls in the bathroom. Additionally, foam backing can degrade over time and lose its non-slip properties. A better option is a bathmat with a rubberized or suction-cup backing.
Choice D rationale
Keeping the water heater temperature below 49°C (120°F) is a crucial safety measure to prevent scalding and burns, which can be more severe in older adults due to thinner skin. At temperatures above this threshold, a third-degree burn can occur in as little as 5 seconds. This simple modification greatly reduces the risk of accidental thermal injury.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it's true that a significant number of individuals with acute hepatitis B infection do not develop chronic hepatitis, about 5% of adults will. In children, the risk is much higher, with 90% of infants infected at birth developing chronic infection. Therefore, many people, especially children, can acquire chronic hepatitis B.
Choice B rationale
One dose of the hepatitis B vaccine does not provide lifelong protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a series of three or four shots to provide full protection. The first dose is given at birth, followed by subsequent doses at one to two months and six to eighteen months of age to ensure long-term immunity.
Choice C rationale
Hepatitis B is not easily spread through casual contact. It is transmitted through blood, semen, and other body fluids. Casual contact, such as hugging or sharing food, does not transmit the virus. This is a crucial distinction to alleviate parental fears about routine interactions among children in day care or school settings.
Choice D rationale
Individuals who have recovered from a hepatitis B infection are often immune for life and do not need the immunization. The body develops antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). This antibody confers protection and is a marker of immunity. Post-infection immunity is generally long-lasting.
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Explanation
🟩 Primary Prevention
These interventions aim to prevent disease or injury before it occurs. They focus on health promotion and risk reduction.
|
Intervention |
Explanation |
|
Prenatal program to provide routine prenatal care |
This is classic primary prevention. It promotes maternal and fetal health before complications arise. Routine checkups, nutrition advice, and early education help prevent adverse outcomes. |
|
Mobile emergency medical services |
While it may sound reactive, this setup increases access to urgent care and stabilizes emergencies before they escalate. In rural settings, this is a proactive infrastructure investment that prevents death or disability. |
|
Educational materials regarding accident prevention |
Health education is a textbook example of primary prevention. Teaching safe practices (e.g., farm equipment safety, road safety) reduces injury risk before it happens. |
🟨 Secondary Prevention
These interventions focus on early detection and prompt treatment to halt disease progression.
|
Intervention |
Explanation |
|
Prenatal diagnostic testing |
This detects fetal or maternal complications early (e.g., gestational diabetes, congenital anomalies), allowing timely intervention before full-blown disease or disability. |
|
Tuberculosis testing program |
TB screening identifies latent or early-stage infections before symptoms worsen or transmission occurs. |
|
Screening for pesticide exposure |
This detects early signs of toxic exposure in agricultural workers. It’s crucial for catching subclinical effects before they become debilitating. |
🟥 Tertiary Prevention
These interventions manage established disease to prevent complications and restore function.
|
Intervention |
Explanation |
|
Treatment services provided for prenatal complications |
Once complications (e.g., preeclampsia, anemia) are diagnosed, treatment aims to prevent worsening and ensure safe delivery. |
|
Treatment for tuberculosis at local health department |
This is disease management—providing antibiotics, monitoring adherence, and preventing long-term lung damage or community spread. |
|
Treatment for clients with pesticide manifestations |
Once symptoms (e.g., neurotoxicity, skin lesions) appear, treatment mitigates damage and prevents chronic illness. |
|
Nutrition teaching for clients with diabetes mellitus |
This supports disease self-management, preventing complications like neuropathy, retinopathy, or cardiovascular disease. It’s a cornerstone of tertiary care. |
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