Older CH14+CH15

An older person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) asks why the pneumococcal vaccination is necessary. Which response should the nurse give?

"It prevent the COPD from getting worse"

"It prevent the development of pneumonia" (correct)

"It will improve your lung functioning as you age"

"It will reduce shortness of breath and fatigue when exercising"

An older person with back and hip stiffness is unaware of when arthritis developed because it just seemed to "appear" one day. Which response should the nurse make?

"Maybe you don't have arthritis"

"Have you been to see your doctor?"

"Chronic conditions develop over time" (correct)

"The stiffness will resolve in a few months"

The nurse reviews ways to help an older person maintain independence with osteoarthritis. Which patient statement indicates that additional teaching about the chronic condition is required?

"I'll take my medications and in a few months the arthritis will be healed." (correct)

"If I get up from bed slowly and move deliberately the joint pain will ease"

"I understand the importance of walking every day to keep mu muscles strong"

"I will use pillow to support my joints so that I can get adequate rest each night"

The nurse is preparing to conduct a review of systems with an older patient. Which observation should indicate to the nurse that questions about the respiratory system are a priority?

Coughing Signup and view all the answers

During the review of systems, an older patient explains experiencing increased hunger, frequent urination, and a 5-pound weight loss in the last month. On which body system should the nurse focus when assessing for additional information?

Endocrine Signup and view all the answers

An older patient who has had a stroke insists on doing things independently, however, this is creating safety concerns. Which type of stroke did this patient most likely experience?

Right hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

An older patient with end-stage COPD is anxious and claims that the oxygen tubing is clogged and not providing enough oxygen. Which self-care strategy would assist this patient to be more comfortable?

Teaching strategies to deal with anxiety and obstruction of air flow Signup and view all the answers

An older patient is experiencing morning stiffness in the back, hips, and knees, along with enlarged joints. What should the nurse explain about these manifestations?

These problems are associated with degenerative joint disease Signup and view all the answers

An older person with hypertension is being started on an aerobic exercise program. What should the nurse emphasize when teaching the patient about this program?

Perform 10 minutes of aerobic walking two to three times a week Signup and view all the answers

An older person prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor has stopped taking the medication. For which adverse effect of the medication should the nurse assess in this patient?

Nonproductive cough Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is preparing an education session for older community members on actions to prevent a stroke. What should the nurse emphasize as being the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke?

High blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

An older patient recovering from a stroke coughs when drinking fluids. What should the nurse consider to prevent this patient from aspirating?

Thickening the fluids Signup and view all the answers

An older patient with congestive heart failure talks with adult children about the future and what they should focus on to take care of their family home once she passes away. What should the nurse realize that this conversation indicates?

The patient has achieved gerotranscendence Signup and view all the answers

An older person who does not want to become sick just sits around talking about illnesses with friends. What should the nurse suggest to help this person prevent the development of chronic health problems? Select all that apply.

Don't smoke Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is beginning a review of systems with an older patient. Which area should be included when assessing the neurological system? Select all that apply.

Gait Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a patient’s sense of smell, the nurse gives a whiff of freshly ground coffee beans to an older patient. The patient identifies coffee with the left nostril but cinnamon with the right nostril. How should the nurse interpret this finding?

Abnormal: odors should be perceived the same in both nostrils Signup and view all the answers

An older patient has a bright purple lesion on the left arm with clear borders. What should the nurse do?

Explain the normal skin changes that include senile purpura Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is assessing an older patient with osteoporosis. Which finding would indicate that the patient is experiencing a compression fracture of the spine?

Acute lower back pain Signup and view all the answers

An older male patient complains of urinary frequency and an interrupted stream. What would be an appropriate response?

Suggest that he seems a physician for a prostate-specific antigen(PSA) test Signup and view all the answers

The nurse documents that an older person’s neurological status is within normal limits. What did the nurse use to make this clinical determination?

Hand grasps equal Signup and view all the answers

The nurse suspects that an older patient has a stasis ulcer on the left inner ankle. For which health problem should the nurse assess this patient?

Venous insufficiency Signup and view all the answers

The nurse spent a great deal of time locating an older patient’s right pedal pulse. What should the nurse do to ensure that future assessments of this pulse can be completed in a timely manner?

Mark the location with a felt-tipped pen Signup and view all the answers

The nurse notes that an older patient’s pupils sluggishly respond to light. What should the nurse do with this information?

Document it as normal finding Signup and view all the answers

The nurse notes that an older patient’s radial pulse area is difficult to compress. What should this indicate to the nurse?

Normal finding Signup and view all the answers

An older person’s self-care ability is being questioned. What should cause the nurse the most concern about this patient?

Eats one meal a day during the weeks that is delivered by the local community center Signup and view all the answers

An older patient is concerned about ongoing constipation. What should the nurse focus on when assessing this patient?

Fluid intake Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is determining an older person’s ability to bathe. Which home observation should facilitate this person’s independence?

Walk-in shower Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is completing a physical assessment with an older patient. What should be included when assessing the peripheral vascular system? Select all that apply.

Palpating peripheral pulses Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is completing a health history with an older patient. Which information should be collected to understand the older person’s overall health status? Select all that apply.

Diet Signup and view all the answers

The nurse is planning to assess an older patient’s ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs). What should be included in this assessment? Select all that apply.

Feeding Signup and view all the answers