An older patient is admitted for bacterial pneumonia. The only abnormal assessment values include a heart rate of 102 beats per minute, slight cyanosis of the nail beds, and mild confusion. The patients daughter questions the possibility of pneumonia stating, He isn’t coughing or having any difficulty breathing. The nurse responds most appropriately by saying.

A. Knowing a patient’s history of drug allergies is essential for preventing allergic reactions to medications. Allergic reactions can be severe and include symptoms such as rash, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. While important, assessing for drug allergies alone does not address all aspects of medication safety, such as correct drug administration, dosage, or monitoring for side effects.
B. Educating patients about their medications helps them understand why they are taking them and what side effects to watch for. This can improve adherence to the medication regimen and enable patients to report side effects promptly. Education is important but does not directly prevent medication errors or ensure that medications are administered correctly.
C. Confirming the patient's identity before administering medication is a fundamental safety measure. It helps prevent medication errors, such as administering the wrong medication to the wrong patient. This action alone does not address other aspects of medication administration, such as verifying correct dosage, the timing of administration, or monitoring for adverse effects.
D. The 5 rights of medication administration—right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time—are fundamental principles of safe medication administration. Adhering to these rights helps prevent medication errors and ensures that medications are administered correctly. By consistently applying these principles, the nurse minimizes the risk of errors and enhances patient safety. This approach covers multiple aspects of medication administration, including verifying the correct patient, drug, dose, route, and timing.

A. Older women are statistically more likely to live in poverty compared to older men. This is often due to a combination of factors including lower lifetime earnings, career interruptions for caregiving, and less access to pension benefits.
B. Older women are indeed more likely to suffer from multiple chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. Chronic conditions are common in this age group and can significantly impact quality of life. Community programming should include education and resources related to managing chronic diseases, as well as access to preventive care and support services.
C. Older women are more likely to live alone compared to older men. This may be due to longer life expectancy and higher rates of widowhood among women. Programs should address the needs of those living alone, such as social support, community engagement opportunities, and services that mitigate isolation, like social activities or check-in services.
D. Many older women are caregivers for their spouses or other family members. This caregiving role can be physically and emotionally demanding. Community programs should offer support for caregivers, including respite care, counseling services, and caregiver education to help manage stress and prevent burnout.
E. While this can occur, older women are less likely to live with extended families compared to living alone. Living arrangements vary widely, and while some older women may live with extended families, it is not as prevalent as living alone. Community programming should be adaptable to different living situations but may focus more on the needs of those living alone or as caregivers.