A nurse is assisting with the admission of an older adult client who has impaired mobility and is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to perform first?
Check the client's ability to use the call light.
Document the client's risk in the medical record.
Request a referral for physical therapy
Place a gait belt in the client's room.
The Correct Answer is A
The first action the nurse should plan to perform is to check the client's ability to use the call light. This is essential to ensure that the client can easily communicate with the healthcare team if they need assistance or experience a fall risk situation. By confirming the client's ability to use the call light, the nurse can address any potential communication barriers and ensure that the client has a means to request help promptly.
Explanation for the other options:
b) Document the client's risk in the medical record: While documenting the client's risk in the medical record is important, it is not the first action to be taken. Ensuring the client's immediate safety and ability to request assistance is the priority.
c) Request a referral for physical therapy: Referring the client for physical therapy may be a necessary step to address their impaired mobility and reduce fall risk, but it is not the first action to be performed. Assessing their ability to use the call light takes precedence in order to address immediate safety concerns.
d) Place a gait belt in the client's room: Providing a gait belt is a measure to assist with mobility and falls prevention. However, it should not be the first action. Checking the client's ability to use the call light is more critical to ensure their immediate safety and ability to request help.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Answer: A. Frequently remind the client of the expectations for her behavior.
Rationale:
A) Frequently remind the client of the expectations for her behavior:
Clients experiencing mania may have difficulty maintaining appropriate behavior due to their heightened energy levels and impulsivity. Frequently reminding them of behavioral expectations helps provide structure and boundaries, which can promote a safer and more controlled environment.
B) Encourage the client to participate in a group activity in the dayroom:
While social interaction can be beneficial, clients in a manic state might be overly stimulated by group activities. This can exacerbate their symptoms, leading to increased agitation or disruptive behavior. It's often more appropriate to provide a calm and low-stimulation environment.
C) Allow the client to pick her own choice of clothing:
Allowing a manic client to choose their own clothing can lead to choices that are inappropriate for the setting or the weather, as judgment may be impaired during mania. Providing guidance in clothing choices can help ensure the client is dressed suitably and safely.
D) Encourage the client to increase physical activity during the day:
While physical activity is generally beneficial, clients in a manic state may already be overly active and may not need encouragement to increase their activity. Overexertion can lead to exhaustion and further exacerbate manic symptoms. It is often more beneficial to encourage activities that promote relaxation and calmness.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
As individuals age, there is a natural decline in kidney function. This can result in a reduced ability to filter and excrete medications and their metabolites from the body. The decreased kidney function can lead to a longer half-life of medications, increased drug accumulation, and an increased risk of adverse drug reactions. It is important for the nurse to adjust medication dosages and frequencies based on the individual's renal function to prevent drug toxicity.
Increased liver function: Aging is associated with a gradual decline in liver function. While there may be some individual variations, in general, liver function decreases rather than increases with age. However, changes in liver function can affect the metabolism and elimination of medications. Some medications may require dosage adjustments based on liver function, but it is not a common physiological change in older adults.
Increased metabolism: Aging is generally associated with a decrease in metabolism rather than an increase. The metabolic rate tends to slow down with age, which can affect the pharmacokinetics of medications. Slower metabolism can result in medications taking longer to be metabolized and cleared from the body, potentially leading to prolonged drug effects.
Decreased pulmonary function: While it is true that lung function decreases with age, the impact on medication administration is not as significant compared to kidney function. Medications are usually administered through non-pulmonary routes (e.g., oral, intravenous, transdermal), and decreased pulmonary function primarily affects the absorption of inhaled medications. However, certain respiratory conditions or compromised lung function may influence medication choices or require adjusted dosing.
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