A nurse is performing an admission assessment on an older patient who presented with a high fever and cough, reduced oral intake for 3 days, and lower extremity weakness. The patient has sunken eyes, and the patient’s skin turgor over the sternum is poor. The nurse suspects that the patient is dehydrated. Which of the following are indicators of dehydration in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A reason: Asking about the circumstances behind the fall(s) can help you identify the possible risk factors and causes of the fall(s), such as environmental hazards, medications, chronic conditions, or acute illnesses. Asking about the circumstances can also help you determine the severity and urgency of the situation, and whether the client needs further evaluation or referral.

Choice B reason: Assessing for any injuries the client might have is important, but it is not the first thing you should do after a client reports a fall. You should first ask about the circumstances to rule out any life-threatening or serious injuries that may require immediate attention. Assessing for injuries is part of the comprehensive fall risk assessment that should be done after the initial screening.

Choice C reason: Evaluating the client for gait and balance is also important, but it is not the first thing you should do after a client reports a fall. You should first ask about the circumstances to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may affect the client's gait and balance. Evaluating gait and balance is part of the comprehensive fall risk assessment that should be done after the initial screening.

Choice D reason: Asking about the history or frequency of falls can help you assess the client's fall risk and identify any patterns or trends in the client's fall history. Asking about the history or frequency of falls can also help you tailor the appropriate interventions and prevention strategies for the client.

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer because the nurse should assess the patient's pain level and location, even if he denies pain. The patient's vital signs indicate that he may be experiencing pain, as increased heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure are common physiological responses to pain. Pain can also be masked by other factors, such as fear, anxiety, or stoicism. Therefore, the nurse should ask the patient about his comfort and use a valid pain assessment tool, such as the numeric rating scale or the faces pain scale, to measure his pain intensity.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because the nurse should not administer an opioid medication by IV route without assessing the patient's pain level and location first. Opioid medications are potent analgesics that can relieve severe pain, but they can also cause serious side effects, such as respiratory depression, sedation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or dependence. The nurse should follow the principles of pain management, such as using the lowest effective dose, titrating the dose according to the patient's response, and monitoring the patient for adverse effects. The nurse should also consider using non-pharmacological interventions, such as ice packs, elevation, or distraction, to complement the pharmacological therapy.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the nurse should not check the surgical dressing for bleeding without assessing the patient's pain level and location first. Checking the surgical dressing for bleeding is an important intervention to monitor the patient's wound healing and prevent infection, but it is not the priority in this scenario. The nurse should first assess the patient's pain and provide appropriate pain relief, as pain can impair wound healing and increase the risk of complications. The nurse should also obtain the patient's consent and explain the procedure before checking the surgical dressing, as this can cause discomfort and anxiety.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because the nurse should not report the vital signs to the health care provider without assessing the patient's pain level and location first. Reporting the vital signs to the health care provider is an important intervention to communicate the patient's condition and obtain further orders, but it is not the priority in this scenario. The nurse should first assess the patient's pain and provide appropriate pain relief, as pain can affect the vital signs and the patient's well-being. The nurse should also document the patient's pain assessment and intervention in the medical record, as this can facilitate the continuity of care and evaluation of outcomes.