A nurse is caring for an elderly client diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI). The family reports an abrupt onset of altered mental status, disorientation, and intermittent hallucinations. The nurse would identify these signs to be consistent with which sensory alteration?
Sleep deprivation
Normal signs of aging
Dementia
Delirium
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Sleep deprivation is incorrect. While sleep deprivation can cause confusion and disorientation, it is less likely to cause abrupt onset of altered mental status and hallucinations. Sleep deprivation typically results in gradual cognitive decline and fatigue rather than sudden changes.
Choice B Reason:
Normal signs of aging is incorrect. Normal aging can involve some cognitive decline, but it does not typically cause sudden and severe symptoms like hallucinations and significant disorientation. These symptoms are more indicative of an acute condition.
Choice C Reason:
Dementia is incorrect. Dementia involves a gradual decline in cognitive function over time and does not typically present with sudden onset of symptoms. While dementia can include hallucinations and disorientation, these symptoms usually develop progressively.
Choice D Reason:
Delirium is correct. Delirium is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, and changes in mental status. It is often triggered by acute medical conditions such as infections, including UTIs. Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to delirium, which can include symptoms like hallucinations and severe confusion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A pureed diet consists of foods that are blended to a smooth consistency. This type of diet is typically recommended for clients who have severe swallowing difficulties or are at risk of aspiration. While it can be easier to consume for those with significant dental issues, it may not provide the variety and texture that a mechanical soft diet offers, which can be more satisfying and nutritionally adequate for someone with multiple cavities and missing teeth.
Choice B Reason:
A soft diet includes foods that are easy to chew and swallow but are not necessarily blended or pureed. This diet is often recommended for clients recovering from surgery or those with mild chewing difficulties. However, for a client with multiple cavities, chipped, and missing teeth, a soft diet might still pose challenges in terms of chewing and could lead to discomfort or inadequate nutrition.
Choice C Reason:
A mechanical soft diet is specifically designed for individuals who have difficulty chewing but do not require pureed foods. This diet includes foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as ground meats, cooked vegetables, and soft fruits. It provides a balance of texture and nutrition, making it the most appropriate choice for a client with multiple cavities, chipped, and missing teeth. This diet helps ensure the client can eat comfortably and maintain adequate nutrition.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Repeating auscultation after asking the client to take a deep breath and cough is the first intervention the nurse should take. This action helps to clear any secretions or mucus that might be causing the crackles. If the crackles persist after the client coughs, it indicates that the sounds are likely due to fluid in the lungs, which requires further assessment and intervention. This step ensures that the nurse accurately identifies the cause of the crackles before proceeding with other interventions.
Choice B Reason:
Instructing the client to limit fluid intake to less than 2,000 mL/day might be appropriate in cases of fluid overload or heart failure, but it is not the first intervention. The nurse needs to confirm the cause of the crackles before making any recommendations about fluid intake. Limiting fluid intake without proper assessment could lead to dehydration and other complications.
Choice C Reason:
Placing the client on bed rest in semi-Fowler’s position can help improve lung expansion and oxygenation by reducing pressure on the diaphragm. However, this is not the first intervention. The nurse should first determine if the crackles are due to secretions that can be cleared by coughing. Semi-Fowler’s position is beneficial for patients with respiratory distress, but it does not address the immediate need to reassess lung sounds.
Choice D Reason:
Preparing to administer antibiotics is not the first intervention. Antibiotics are used to treat infections, and the nurse needs to confirm whether the crackles are due to an infection or another cause before administering medication. Immediate administration of antibiotics without proper assessment could lead to inappropriate treatment and antibiotic resistance.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.