A confused older adult client is having trouble sleeping at night and is sometimes found wandering in the hallway. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?
Provide a back rub at bedtime.
Leave the door to the client's room open slightly.
Apply wrist restraints to prevent wandering.
Administer a PRN sedative prescription.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Provide a back rub at bedtime:
This intervention addresses the client's immediate need for comfort and relaxation without resorting to restrictive measures or medications.
B. Leave the door to the client's room open slightly:
Leaving the door open may not prevent wandering and could potentially lead to safety issues.
C. Apply wrist restraints to prevent wandering:
Restraints should only be used as a last resort and when all other interventions have failed. They pose risks to the client's physical and psychological well-being and should be avoided whenever possible.
D. Administer a PRN sedative prescription:
Sedatives should be used judiciously and only after other non-pharmacological interventions have been attempted. Sedating the client may increase the risk of falls or injury and should not be the first-line intervention for managing sleep disturbances or wandering behavior.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Initiate the facility's restraint flow sheet:
- Initiating the facility's restraint flow sheet is an important step for documenting the use of restraints according to institutional policies and regulatory requirements. However, in this scenario where improper use of restraints has been observed, the immediate priority is to address the safety concern and prevent harm to the client.
B. Ensure that the restraints are not too tight:
- Ensuring that the restraints are not too tight is crucial for preventing harm to the client, such as compromised circulation or tissue damage. However, while important, this action is secondary to addressing the observed improper use of restraints, which poses an immediate safety risk to the client.
C. Demonstrate proper securing of the restraints:
Educating the UAP on how to correctly apply restraints is crucial. Incorrectly secured restraints can lead to complications such as injury, infection, or impaired circulation. The nurse should show the UAP how to secure the restraints to amovable part of the bed frame, not to the side rails. This ensures safety and prevents harm if the side rails are released.Proper restraint application helps maintain the client’s safety while minimizing risks.
D. Complete an adverse occurrence/incident report:
- Completing an adverse occurrence/incident report: Reporting incidents is necessary, but it can wait until after ensuring safe restraint application.
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