An older adult client arrives at the clinic reporting decreased strength in knees and in handgrips. Which action should the nurse include in a functional assessment of the client?
Assist the client with clarifying values about end-of-life care options.
Ask the client how often episodes of sundowning are experienced.
Request to have the client lie as still as possible for the assessment.
Question the client about the frequency of falls in recent months.
The Correct Answer is D
A. This action pertains more to discussions about advance care planning and end-of-life preferences, which may be important but are not directly related to assessing the client's functional status.
B. Episodes of sundowning are associated with changes in behavior, confusion, and agitation in some individuals with dementia, particularly in the late afternoon or evening. While important to assess in certain contexts, it is not directly related to evaluating the client's physical strength and mobility.
C. Asking the client to lie still does not provide information about their functional status or ability to perform activities of daily living.
D. This is the most appropriate action because it directly addresses the client's reported decreased strength and assesses the impact on their functional ability. Falls are a common consequence of reduced strength and mobility in older adults and can provide valuable information about the client's current physical function and safety.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Compare muscle strength bilaterally. While hyperkalemia can lead to muscle weakness, assessing muscle strength bilaterally is not the most critical intervention in this scenario. The priority is to assess for cardiac manifestations of hyperkalemia.
B. Determine apical pulse rate and rhythm. Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, including bradycardia, heart block, and ventricular tachycardia. Assessing the apical pulse rate and rhythm can provide essential information about cardiac function and help identify potential dysrhythmias.
C. Assess strength of deep tendon reflexes. Hyperkalemia can affect neuromuscular function, leading to hyperreflexia or diminished reflexes. While assessing deep tendon reflexes is
important, it is not as critical as assessing cardiac function in a client with known hyperkalemia.
D. Observe color and amount of urine. While changes in urinary output and characteristics may indicate renal impairment associated with hyperkalemia, the priority in this situation is to assess for cardiac manifestations of hyperkalemia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Left 5th intercostal space midclavicular line: Palpating the left 5th intercostal space midclavicular line is not appropriate for assessing pulse in an unresponsive infant. This location is typically used for cardiac auscultation and not for pulse assessment.
B. Right carotid area: Palpating the carotid artery is not recommended in infants due to the risk of causing injury to the delicate structures of the neck, including the
airway and blood vessels.
C. Over the brachial artery: The brachial artery is the preferred site for assessing pulse in infants. It is located in the inner aspect of the upper arm and can be easily palpated. In an unresponsive infant, the brachial pulse should be assessed before
initiating CPR.
D. Over the sternum: Palpating over the sternum is not an appropriate site for pulse assessment in infants. The sternum is a bone and does not contain any major arteries suitable for pulse palpation.
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