A home health nurse is providing care to an older adult client during the winter. During an in-home visit, the nurse notes that the thermostat is set to 12.8° C (55° F). The client tells the nurse, "I keep the heat set low because I can't afford to pay the bill." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Recommend staying at a local shelter until the client can afford the bill.
Contact the local Department of Health and Human Services for the client.
Contact the client's family members to tell them the client's financial status.
Provide the client with written information about the dangers of hypothermia.
The Correct Answer is B
The nurse should contact the local Department of Health and Human Services for the client, as this agency may be able to provide assistance with heating costs or other resources for low-income individuals.
Older adults are at increased risk of hypothermia, which is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when body temperature drops below 35° C (95° F). Hypothermia can be caused by exposure to cold temperatures, inadequate clothing, poor nutrition, chronic illness, or medication use. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to intervene and help the client maintain a safe and comfortable home environment.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A mastectomy is a surgical removal of one or both breasts, usually done to treat breast cancer. The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and provide factual information about the procedure, its benefits and risks, and possible alternatives . The nurse should also assess the client's readiness to learn, address any concerns or fears, and offer emotional support . Telling the client to get a second opinion may imply that the nurse does not trust the surgeon or doubts the necessity of the procedure.
Telling the client that they will be cancer-free if they have the procedure may be false or misleading, as there may be residual cancer cells or recurrence after surgery. Giving the client a list of other people who had the same procedure may violate confidentiality and may not be helpful or relevant to the client's situation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A chest physiotherapy vest is a device that delivers high-frequency chest wall oscillation to loosen and mobilize mucus from the airways . This helps improve lung function and prevent respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, who have thick and sticky mucus production . A peak flow meter is used to measure the peak expiratory flow rate, which reflects the degree of airway obstruction in patients with asthma .
An NG tube with suction apparatus is used to decompress the stomach and remove gastric contents in patients with bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, or gastroparesis . A chest tube with a drainage system is used to remove air or fluid from the pleural space in patients with pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pleural effusion .
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