The nurse assesses an older adult client's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). When observing the client ambulate, the nurse notes that the client's posture is upright, and the gait is smooth and steady. Which action should the nurse take next?
Initiate a fall risk protocol for the client.
Teach the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls.
Determine the client's activity tolerance.
Record the client's ability to perform ADLS safely.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Initiate a fall risk protocol for the client:
Initiating a fall risk protocol may be premature based solely on observations of an upright posture and a smooth, steady gait. While falls are a significant concern in older adults, these observations suggest that the client currently exhibits good balance and mobility, which may not warrant immediate initiation of a fall risk protocol. Fall risk assessments typically involve a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors beyond posture and gait, such as medical history, medications, cognitive status, and environmental factors.
B. Teach the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls:
Teaching the client to shorten their stride to prevent falls may not be necessary based on the observed smooth and steady gait. Shortening the stride is often recommended for individuals who exhibit signs of imbalance or instability during walking. However, in this scenario, the client demonstrates a smooth and steady gait, suggesting that their current gait pattern is effective and does not pose an immediate risk of falling.
C. Determine the client's activity tolerance:
Assessing the client's activity tolerance is an appropriate next step in the nursing process. While the observed upright posture and smooth, steady gait are positive indicators of mobility, understanding the client's overall activity tolerance provides valuable insight into their functional capacity and ability to perform activities of daily living safely. This assessment helps tailor care interventions to meet the client's individual needs and promotes optimal independence and quality of life.
D. Record the client's ability to perform ADLs safely:
Documenting the client's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) safely is an essential component of nursing assessment and documentation. However, it may not be the most immediate action to take following the observation of an upright posture and smooth, steady gait. While documenting findings is important for maintaining accurate records and facilitating communication among healthcare team members, further assessment of the client's activity tolerance would provide additional context for documenting their functional status accurately.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Auscultate the bowel sounds in all four quadrants:
Auscultating bowel sounds is not directly relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is more appropriate for evaluating gastrointestinal function and is not a priority during airway management procedures.
B. Palpate the client's pedal pulse volume bilaterally:
Palpating pedal pulse volume is not directly relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is more appropriate for evaluating peripheral vascular perfusion and is not a priority during airway management procedures.
C. Determine the elasticity of the client's skin turgor:
Assessing skin turgor elasticity is not directly relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is typically performed to evaluate hydration status and is not a priority during airway management procedures.
D. Observe the client's skin and mucous membranes:
This is the most appropriate assessment during nasopharyngeal suctioning. Observing the client's skin and mucous membranes helps monitor for signs of respiratory distress, such as cyanosis, pallor, or increased respiratory effort. It also allows the nurse to assess the effectiveness of airway clearance and potential complications related to the procedure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Inject in abdominal area at least 2 in (5.1 cm) from the umbilicus:
This instruction is accurate and appropriate for the administration of low molecular weight heparin subcutaneously. Injecting into the abdominal area at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) away from the umbilicus is a commonly recommended site for subcutaneous injections due to the availability of subcutaneous tissue and the reduced risk of injury to underlying structures.
B. Rotate injections between the abdomen and gluteal areas:
While rotation of injection sites is important to prevent tissue damage and lipodystrophy, for subcutaneous injections of low molecular weight heparin, the abdomen is typically the preferred site due to better absorption and reduced risk of complications. Therefore, rotating between the abdomen and gluteal areas may not be necessary or recommended for this specific medication.
C. Expel the air in the prefilled syringe prior to injection:
Expelling air from the prefilled syringe is a standard practice to ensure accurate dosing and prevent air embolism, but it is not specific to the administration of low molecular weight heparin. This instruction should be included in general injection technique education but is not specific to the administration of this medication.
D. Massage the injection site to increase absorption:
Massaging the injection site after administration of low molecular weight heparin is not recommended, as it can increase the risk of bleeding or hematoma formation at the injection site. Massaging the site is generally contraindicated for anticoagulant injections to avoid disrupting the clotting process.
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