When the nurse is teaching an older adult patient about their medications, which of these age-related changes is appropriate for the nurse to consider?
Increased conduction of sound.
Decrease in intellectual abilities.
Increased ability to concentrate.
Decrease in short-term memory.
The Correct Answer is D
This question assesses knowledge of normal physiological changes associated with aging. The nurse must apply this information to tailor education strategies, ensuring that the plan accounts for cognitive shifts, such as memory changes, to maximize the patient's comprehension and retention of complex medication regimens.
Choice A rationale
Aging is associated with a decrease in auditory acuity, known as presbycusis, rather than an increase in sound conduction. Sensory changes are expected in older adults, requiring the nurse to speak clearly and face the patient during educational sessions.
Choice B rationale
General intellectual ability does not necessarily decrease with age. While processing speed may slow slightly, cognitive function remains stable. Assuming a decrease in intellectual ability is a stereotypic approach that can lead to ineffective or patronizing communication with patients.
Choice C rationale
Older adults may face increased difficulty in maintaining sustained concentration due to various factors, such as sensory overload or chronic fatigue. Increased ability to concentrate is not a characteristic of aging, making it an incorrect consideration for planning patient education.
Choice D rationale
Aging is often associated with a decline in short-term memory function. The nurse should utilize written materials, large-print resources, and simplified, frequent teaching sessions to assist the older adult in retaining the critical information needed for safe medication adherence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This question addresses safe medication administration in patients with mechanical bowel obstruction. It requires applying knowledge of gastrointestinal motility to identify agents that are strictly contraindicated, as stimulating peristalsis against a physical blockage can cause severe bowel distension, pain, or potentially life-threatening perforation.
Choice A rationale
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen may cause gastric irritation or ulcers, but they do not actively stimulate intestinal peristalsis. While used with caution in some patients, they are not strictly contraindicated in the same way as motility-enhancing agents during obstruction.
Choice B rationale
Zolpidem is a hypnotic agent that works on the central nervous system to induce sleep. It does not have a pharmacological effect on intestinal motility and is not contraindicated in patients diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction during their hospital stay.
Choice C rationale
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to decrease gastric acid secretion. It does not influence the motility of the intestinal tract and is not contraindicated in the management of a patient diagnosed with a mechanical small bowel obstruction.
Choice D rationale
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that works by directly increasing peristalsis in the colon and small intestine. Administering a stimulant laxative to a patient with a mechanical bowel obstruction is contraindicated because it can cause perforation, severe pain, and emergency complications.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This question requires knowledge of the pharmacological onset of rapid-acting insulin analogs. Proper timing is critical for mealtime management, as it allows for immediate coverage of glucose intake, thereby reducing the risk of postprandial hyperglycemia while minimizing the potential for hypoglycemia after administration.
Choice A rationale
An onset of 1 to 2 hours is characteristic of regular human insulin, which acts much more slowly than rapid-acting analogs. This time frame does not provide the immediate glycemic control needed for patients to match their insulin with the timing of their meals.
Choice B rationale
An 80-minute onset is not a standard pharmacokinetic parameter for insulin lispro. This duration is too slow for the clinical goal of matching insulin activity with the rapid rise in postprandial blood glucose levels that occurs after eating carbohydrates.
Choice C rationale
A 3 to 5-hour duration is typically associated with the peak or total action period of rapid-acting insulins. It does not represent the initial onset of action, which is the time when the insulin first begins to lower the blood glucose level.
Choice D rationale
Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting analog engineered for quick absorption from the subcutaneous space. Its onset of action occurs within 15 minutes of administration, making it the ideal choice for managing mealtime glucose spikes efficiently and safely in a clinical setting.
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