An older adult patient arrives at the clinic reporting decreased strength in knees and handgrips. What action should the nurse include in a functional assessment of this patient?
Inquire about the frequency of falls in recent months.
Ask the patient how often episodes of sundowning are experienced.
Assist the patient with clarifying values about end-of-life care options.
Request the patient to lie as still as possible for the assessment.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Inquiring about the frequency of falls in recent months is an important part of a functional assessment for an older adult patient reporting decreased strength in knees and handgrips. Falls can be a sign of decreased muscle strength and balance, which can be associated with aging and certain medical conditions.
Choice B rationale
Sundowning, or increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening, is a symptom often associated with dementia, not necessarily with decreased strength in knees and handgrips.
Choice C rationale
While discussing end-of-life care options is an important aspect of comprehensive patient care, it is not directly related to the patient’s reported symptoms of decreased strength.
Choice D rationale
Requesting the patient to lie as still as possible for the assessment may not provide comprehensive information about the patient’s functional mobility and strength.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C,A,B,D
Explanation
Step 1: Complete a focused assessment. The first step in managing a patient with abdominal pain and distention, vomiting, and constipation is to perform a focused assessment. This includes assessing the patient’s vital signs, pain level, abdominal distention, bowel sounds, and any other relevant physical findings.
Step 2: Elevate the head of the bed. Elevating the head of the bed can help reduce the risk of aspiration, especially in a patient who has recently vomited.
Step 3: Send the emesis sample to the lab. Analyzing the vomitus can provide important information about the possible causes of the patient’s symptoms. For example, the presence of blood could suggest a gastrointestinal bleed.
Step 4: Offer PRN pain medication. After the initial assessment and interventions, the nurse should address the patient’s comfort. Pain management is an important part of patient care, but in this scenario, it is not the highest priority.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Gastric lavage is a procedure that involves the insertion of a tube into the stomach to remove its contents and is typically used in cases of poisoning or drug overdose. However, it should not be the first action taken. The type of chemical exposure needs to be determined first to guide appropriate treatment.
Choice B rationale
Determining the type of chemical exposure is crucial as it guides the subsequent steps in management. Different chemicals can have different effects on the body and require different treatments.
Choice C rationale
While assessing for altered sensorium is important in a child exposed to chemicals, it is not the first action. The nurse needs to identify the type of chemical the child was exposed to in order to anticipate potential complications and guide treatment.
Choice D rationale
Calling the poison control emergency number is an important step in managing a case of chemical exposure. However, having information about the type of chemical the child was exposed to can make this call more effective.
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