An older adult client is admitted to a long term care facility. Upon admission, the client is oriented but fatigued, is incontinent of urine, and has a stage II pressure ulcer on the left heel. Which additional finding requires further assessment?
Absorbent undergarments dry for 6 hours.
Heel dressing saturated with serous drainage.
Frequent request for medication to sleep.
Confusion to time, place, and environment.
The Correct Answer is D
A. While the use of absorbent undergarments is relevant to managing urinary incontinence, having them dry for 6 hours indicates that they are performing their function well in terms of absorbing urine. This finding does not immediately suggest a new issue that needs urgent further assessment.
B. A heel dressing saturated with serous drainage suggests that the stage II pressure ulcer on the left heel is producing a significant amount of fluid. Serous drainage is typically clear or light yellow and can indicate a wound that is still in the inflammatory phase of healing
C. Frequent requests for sleep medication can indicate issues with sleep patterns or underlying psychological stress. While it’s important to address sleep difficulties, this finding might not be as immediately critical as other concerns but warrants further assessment to address possible underlying causes and manage sleep issues appropriately.
D. Confusion about time, place, and environment in a newly admitted client is a significant finding and requires urgent further assessment. This level of confusion could be indicative of a serious issue such as delirium, which can be caused by various factors including infection, dehydration, metabolic imbalances, or a sudden change in environment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While it is generally good practice to measure blood pressure in both arms for a comprehensive assessment, this is not the primary concern with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia primarily affects neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems, so while blood pressure monitoring is important, it does not directly address the critical symptoms associated with low calcium levels.
B. Assessing skin turgor is a useful practice for evaluating hydration status and skin elasticity but is not specifically related to the management or symptoms of hypocalcemia. In hypocalcemia, skin changes are not the most relevant concern compared to neuromuscular symptoms.
C. Hypocalcemia can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising due to impaired blood clotting mechanisms. Monitoring for bruising can be an important aspect of assessing the effects of low calcium levels on the client’s hemostatic function. Bruising can be a direct indicator of the impact of hypocalcemia on blood coagulation and is relevant to the clinical management of the condition.
D. Hypocalcemia can affect cardiac function, potentially leading to changes in heart rhythm and rate. Monitoring the rhythm of the pulse is crucial, as it can help identify arrhythmias or other cardiac disturbances associated with low calcium levels.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This description is more characteristic of a Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injury. Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss and may expose subcutaneous tissue, and Stage 4 involves extensive damage with possible exposure of muscle, bone, or tendon. Sloughing (a type of necrotic tissue) is not typical of Stage 2 pressure injuries.
B. This description is more indicative of a Stage 1 pressure injury. Stage 1 injuries are characterized by non-blanchable erythema of intact skin, and pain or discomfort in the affected area is common. Stage 1 does not involve the loss of skin integrity, so it would not be the appearance of a Stage 2 injury.
C. This description accurately matches the appearance of a Stage 2 pressure injury. Stage 2 pressure injuries are characterized by partial-thickness loss of skin, which may present as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed. It does not extend through the entire thickness of the skin.
D. This description aligns with Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injuries, which involve full-thickness skin loss with possible necrotic tissue and deep pockets of infection. These stages involve significant tissue damage beyond what is seen in Stage 2 injuries.
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