The family of an older adult client brings him to the emergency department after finding him wandering outside. During the initial assessment, the nurse notes that the client flinches when she palpates his abdomen yet responds to questions only by nodding and smiling.
Which of the following factors should the nurse identify as a likely explanation for the client's behavior?
He is hard of hearing.
Confusion
Pain
Language barrier
None
None
The Correct Answer is B
A. He is hard of hearing:
This is unlikely. While hearing impairment could explain some difficulty in communication, it would not explain the flinching upon abdominal palpation or the wandering behavior. Hearing-impaired clients typically respond to nonverbal cues or attempt to communicate their understanding in other ways.
B. Confusion:
This is correct. The client's wandering behavior, lack of verbal response, and smiling/nodding without clear understanding are indicative of confusion, which is common in older adults experiencing delirium, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. The flinching during abdominal palpation suggests a physical issue, but the client's inability to articulate his discomfort further supports confusion as a contributing factor.
C. Pain:
While pain could explain the flinching during palpation, it does not account for the wandering behavior or the lack of meaningful verbal communication. Pain may coexist with confusion but is not the primary explanation for his overall behavior.
D. Language barrier:
A language barrier could explain difficulty in verbal communication, but it does not account for the wandering behavior or the flinching upon palpation. Additionally, the family’s ability to communicate with the healthcare team suggests this is not the most likely factor
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- A) Elevating the bed to a comfortable position for the nurse is important to prevent strain or injury to the nurse's back. However, this action alone does not ensure the client's safety during the transfer.
- B) While acquiring help can be useful, especially for a heavy client or one with limited mobility, it is not the primary action to ensure safety during the transfer.
- C) Placing the wheelchair at a 90° angle to the bed may make the transfer more difficult because it does not allow for the most direct path to the wheelchair.
- D) Locking the wheels of both the bed and the wheelchair is the correct action to take to ensure stability and prevent movement, providing a safe transfer for the client.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is an important step, but it should come after the immediate action of washing the affected area.
B. Washing the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water is the initial step in managing a needlestick injury to minimize the risk of infection.
C. Going to employee health services is important for further assessment and follow-up, but it should be done after washing the area of the puncture.
D. Completing an incident report is an essential part of documenting the needlestick injury, but it is a secondary step that should be taken after the initial action of washing the area.
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