An elderly male patient in his early 70s is admitted to the emergency department due to a COPD exacerbation.
The patient is having difficulty breathing and the healthcare team is preparing for endotracheal intubation.
The patient’s wife, who is 30 years younger, asks the nurse to halt the procedure and presents the nurse with a copy of the patient’s living will.
What should the nurse’s next step be?

Choice A rationale

While understanding risk factors for osteoporosis is important, it is not the highest priority for an older adult client diagnosed with osteoporosis. The highest priority is ensuring the client’s safety to prevent falls and fractures.

Choice B rationale

While constipation due to immobility can be a concern for clients with osteoporosis, it is not the highest priority for an older adult client diagnosed with osteoporosis. The highest priority is ensuring the client’s safety to prevent falls and fractures.

Choice C rationale

Identifying home safety hazards to be resolved immediately is the highest priority for an older adult client diagnosed with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, and falls are a common cause of fractures in older adults. Therefore, ensuring a safe environment is crucial.

Choice D rationale

While adding calcium-rich foods to the daily diet can help manage osteoporosis, it is not the highest priority for an older adult client diagnosed with osteoporosis. The highest priority is ensuring the client’s safety to prevent falls and fractures.

H.

Choice A rationale

While albuterol can cause an increase in heart rate due to its beta-agonist effects, it is not the primary assessment following administration. The main goal of albuterol treatment is to improve respiratory function.

Choice B rationale

Breath sounds are a primary assessment following albuterol administration. Albuterol is a bronchodilator and should improve breath sounds by reducing bronchospasm and increasing airflow.

Choice C rationale

Serum sodium levels are not directly affected by albuterol and therefore are not a primary assessment following its administration.

Choice D rationale

A complete blood count is not directly affected by albuterol and therefore is not a primary assessment following its administration.

Choice E rationale

Oxygen saturation is a primary assessment following albuterol administration. Albuterol should improve oxygen saturation by increasing airflow and oxygen delivery.

Choice F rationale

Peak inspiratory flow is not typically assessed after albuterol administration. Albuterol primarily affects expiratory flow by reducing bronchospasm.

Choice G rationale

Temperature is not directly affected by albuterol and therefore is not a primary assessment following its administration.

Choice H rationale

Peak expiratory flow is a primary assessment following albuterol administration. Albuterol is a bronchodilator and should improve peak expiratory flow by reducing bronchospasm.