A nurse in a provider's office is talking with an older adult client who tells the nurse that they fear they are "aging badly" and feel "so useless." Which of the following assessment questions is the nurse's priority?

"Did anything in particular make you feel this way?"

"Do you ever think about harming yourself?"

"How long have you had these feelings of uselessness?"

"Would you tell me more about the changes you see in your body?"

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. "Did anything in particular make you feel this way?" - While exploring potential triggers for the client's feelings of uselessness is important, assessing for suicidal ideation takes precedence. However, this question can be asked after addressing the immediate safety concern.
B. "Do you ever think about harming yourself?" - This is the priority assessment question. Older adults experiencing feelings of uselessness and worthlessness may be at risk for suicidal ideation or self-harm. Asking about thoughts of self-harm allows the nurse to assess the client's safety and determine the need for immediate intervention.
C. "How long have you had these feelings of uselessness?" - While understanding the duration of the client's feelings is relevant, assessing for suicidal ideation is more critical in ensuring the client's safety.
D. "Would you tell me more about the changes you see in your body?" - Exploring the client's perception of physical changes is important for addressing body image concerns and promoting self-esteem. However, assessing for suicidal ideation takes precedence as it addresses the client's immediate safety.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. The client's heart rate increases by 10/min: An increase in heart rate upon changing positions may occur as a compensatory mechanism to maintain blood pressure, but it is not indicative of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is characterized by a decrease in blood pressure upon assuming an upright position.
B. The client's systolic blood pressure decreases by 25 mm Hg: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or more, or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg or more, within 3 minutes of standing up from a supine position. Therefore, a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 25 mm Hg upon changing positions is consistent with orthostatic hypotension.
C. The client's diastolic blood pressure increases by 10 mm Hg: Orthostatic hypotension typically involves a decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure upon assuming an upright position. An increase in diastolic blood pressure is not consistent with orthostatic hypotension.
D. The client reports heart palpitations: Heart palpitations may occur due to various reasons, such as anxiety or cardiac arrhythmias, but they are not specific to orthostatic hypotension. While orthostatic hypotension may cause symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness, heart palpitations are not typically associated with this condition.

A. Provide the client with a low-protein diet. B. Ambulate the client every 4 hr. C. Ensure that the side rails are up on the client's bed. D. Check the fetal heart rate twice daily.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Provide the client with a low-protein diet: Clients with severe preeclampsia may require dietary modifications, but a low-protein diet is not typically indicated. Instead, they may need a balanced diet with adequate protein intake to support maternal and fetal health.
B. Ambulate the client every 4 hr: Ambulation may not be suitable for a client with severe preeclampsia due to the risk of seizures and other complications associated with the condition. Bed rest or limited activity is often recommended to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.
C. Ensure that the side rails are up on the client's bed: This action is crucial for the safety of the client with severe preeclampsia, as they are at risk of seizures, which can lead to injury from falls. Keeping the side rails up helps prevent falls and ensures the client's safety during periods of altered consciousness.
D. Check the fetal heart rate twice daily: Monitoring the fetal heart rate is essential in managing severe preeclampsia to assess fetal well-being and detect signs of fetal distress. However, the frequency of monitoring may vary depending on the severity of the condition and the healthcare provider's orders. More frequent monitoring may be necessary in some cases.

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A nurse in a provider's office is talking with an older adult client who tells the nurse that they fear they are "aging badly" and feel "so useless." Which of the following assessment questions is the nurse's priority?

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is C

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