An older-adult patient is visiting the clinic after a fall during the night. The nurse obtains information on what medications the patient takes. Which medication most likely contributed to the patient’s fall?
Melatonin
Benzodiazepine
L-tryptophan
Iron supplement
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Melatonin, used for sleep regulation, may cause mild drowsiness but is not strongly linked to falls in older adults. Its side effects are minimal, and it does not significantly impair balance or coordination. This medication is unlikely to have caused the fall, making it an incorrect choice.
Choice B reason: Benzodiazepines, used for anxiety or insomnia, increase fall risk in older adults by causing sedation, dizziness, and impaired coordination. These effects, especially at night, can lead to balance issues and falls. Given their known association with falls in the elderly, this is the most likely medication contributing to the incident.
Choice C reason: L-tryptophan, an amino acid supplement for sleep or mood, has minimal side effects and is not associated with significant sedation or balance impairment. It is unlikely to cause falls in older adults, as it does not affect motor function or coordination, making this an incorrect choice.
Choice D reason: Iron supplements treat anemia but do not cause sedation, dizziness, or balance issues linked to falls. Side effects like gastrointestinal upset are unrelated to fall risk. This medication is not a likely contributor to the patient’s fall, making it an incorrect choice compared to benzodiazepines.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Health promotion involves teaching lifestyle changes, not physical touch or emotional support, as seen here. Presence focuses on being with the patient empathetically. Assuming health promotion misaligns with the action, risking neglect of the patient’s emotional and spiritual needs, critical for comfort in terminal illness care settings.
Choice B reason: Offering transcendence involves fostering spiritual meaning, not physical touch or presence. The nurse’s hand-touching establishes emotional connection, not existential exploration. Assuming transcendence overlooks the relational aspect of presence, potentially missing the patient’s immediate need for comfort and connection in the context of terminal illness care.
Choice C reason: Establishing presence involves being physically and emotionally available, as shown by sitting and touching the patient’s hand. This empathetic connection, rooted in Watson’s caring theory, fosters comfort and trust, critical for terminally ill patients. Presence supports emotional well-being, ensuring holistic care and dignity in end-of-life situations.
Choice D reason: Doing for involves performing tasks like bathing, not emotional support through touch. The nurse’s action establishes presence, not task-oriented care. Assuming doing for risks misinterpreting the action, potentially neglecting the patient’s need for empathetic connection, essential for psychological comfort in terminal illness care.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Self-care deficit addresses physical inability to perform daily tasks, not psychological issues from sensory impairments. Hearing and visual loss primarily impact communication, leading to socialization issues. Assuming self-care deficit misaligns the diagnosis, risking neglect of psychological needs like social isolation, critical for mental health in sensory-impaired patients.
Choice B reason: Risk for falls is a physical safety concern due to sensory impairments but not psychological. Impaired socialization better addresses the psychological impact of communication barriers. Prioritizing falls risks overlooking social isolation, delaying interventions like communication aids, essential for mental well-being in patients with hearing and visual deficits.
Choice C reason: Impaired socialization, a psychological nursing diagnosis, reflects the communication barriers from hearing and visual impairments, leading to social isolation and emotional distress. This diagnosis guides interventions like assistive devices or support groups, critical for mental health, ensuring patients maintain social connections and emotional resilience despite sensory challenges.
Choice D reason: Impaired physical mobility relates to movement limitations, not psychological effects of sensory impairments. Hearing and visual loss primarily cause socialization issues, not mobility deficits. Assuming mobility misdirects care, neglecting psychological needs like social engagement, critical for preventing isolation and supporting mental health in sensory-impaired patients.
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