As a nurse prepares an older adult client for bed on the first night of her hospital stay, the client says, "I am afraid that I may fall getting to the bathroom during the night. I tend to get a bit disoriented in new surroundings." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Offer to request a prescription for an indwelling urinary catheter.
Keep a night light on in the client's room.
Put the side rails up and tell the client to call for assistance to the bathroom.
Limit the client's fluid intake in the evening.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Offer to request a prescription for an indwelling urinary catheter.
Indwelling urinary catheters come with their own set of risks and complications. It is generally not recommended to use them solely for the purpose of preventing falls unless there are other medical indications for their use. Catheters increase the risk of infection and other complications, and their use should be based on clear medical necessity.
B. Keep a night light on in the client's room.
This option directly addresses the client's concern about falling during the night. Providing a night light in the room helps to alleviate disorientation, making it safer for the client to navigate to the bathroom. It is a practical and non-invasive intervention.
C. Put the side rails up and tell the client to call for assistance to the bathroom.
While using side rails can be a fall prevention measure, it's important to consider that they are not without risks. Side rails can lead to entrapment or injury if not used appropriately. In addition, telling the client to call for assistance is good advice, but relying solely on this instruction may not address the immediate concern of disorientation in new surroundings.
D. Limit the client's fluid intake in the evening.
While limiting fluid intake in the evening might reduce the frequency of bathroom trips, it is not the most appropriate response to the client's concern. Dehydration can lead to other health issues and should not be used as the primary strategy for fall prevention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Palliative care focuses on providing comfort and relief from symptoms for individuals with serious illnesses, often those with life-limiting conditions. Respite care is not specifically designed for palliative care but can complement it by offering temporary relief to caregivers.
B. Respite care is a form of temporary care that allows caregivers a break or time off from their responsibilities. It is intended to provide short-term relief and support for family members or caregivers who are taking care of individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or age-related conditions.
C. Restorative care involves interventions and services aimed at improving an individual's functional abilities and promoting independence. Respite care is not primarily focused on restorative care but rather on giving caregivers a temporary break.
D. Pain management is a specialized area of care that focuses on assessing and treating pain. Respite care, while it may involve managing symptoms during the temporary care period, is not specifically designed for pain management.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Position the client on her side:
While placing the client on her side is important, especially if there is a risk of aspiration during the seizure, maintaining the airway takes precedence as the priority action.
B. Maintain the patency of the client's airway:
This is the correct answer. Ensuring the airway is open and unobstructed is the immediate priority during a seizure. This involves positioning the client to prevent airway compromise and potentially using suction if necessary.
C. Identify the poison the client ingested:
While identifying the poison is important for subsequent management, it is not the immediate priority during an active seizure. The focus is on stabilizing and ensuring the client's safety.
D. Measure the client's blood pressure:
Monitoring vital signs, including blood pressure, is an essential aspect of care, but it is not the immediate priority during an active seizure. Airway management takes precedence to prevent complications such as hypoxia.
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