A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has depression and reports having chronic pain in his lower back.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Assess the location, intensity, quality and duration of the pain using a pain scale
Administer analgesic medications as prescribed and monitor for effectiveness and side effects.
Provide non-pharmacological interventions such as massage, heat or cold therapy, relaxation techniques or distraction.
All of the above.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is D.
All of the above.
The nurse should take all of the actions listed to provide effective pain management for the older adult client who has depression and chronic pain in his lower back.
• Choice A is correct because assessing the pain using a valid and reliable pain scale is essential for determining the severity and impact of pain, as well as monitoring the response to treatment.
• Choice B is correct because administering analgesic medications as prescribed can help reduce pain and improve function.
The nurse should also monitor for effectiveness and side effects, especially in older adults who may have altered drug metabolism, polypharmacy, and increased risk of adverse events.
• Choice C is correct because providing non-pharmacological interventions can enhance pain relief, reduce medication use, and address the biopsychosocial aspects of pain.
Massage, heat or cold therapy, relaxation techniques, and distraction are some examples of non-pharmacological interventions that can be used for chronic pain in older adults.
• Choice D is correct because it includes all of the above actions, which are part of a multimodal approach to pain management that is recommended by clinical guidelines.
4 7 A multimodal approach can improve pain outcomes, reduce side effects, and address the complex needs of older adults with chronic pain.
A. Assess the location, intensity, quality and duration of the pain using a pain scale B.
Administer analgesic medications as prescribed and monitor for effectiveness and side effects C.
Provide non-pharmacological interventions such as massage, heat or cold therapy, relaxation techniques or distraction D.
All of the above
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A.
Decreased metabolic rate.This is because the metabolic rate is the amount of energy that the body uses to maintain its functions, and it tends to decline with age due to various factors, such as loss of muscle mass, reduced activity, hormonal changes, and decreased thyroid function.
A lower metabolic rate means that the body produces less heat and therefore feels colder more easily.
Choice B is wrong because increased blood pressure is not a normal physiological change with aging, but rather a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases that can be influenced by lifestyle, genetics, and other factors.
Choice C is wrong because increased sweat gland activity is not a normal physiological change with aging, but rather a sign of hyperhidrosis, which is a condition that causes excessive sweating due to overactive sweat glands.Sweat glands actually decrease in number and function with age, which can impair thermoregulation and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Choice D is wrong because decreased body fat is not a normal physiological change with aging, but rather a result of malnutrition, illness, or other causes.Body fat actually tends to increase with age, especially in the abdominal region, due to hormonal changes, reduced physical activity, and lower metabolic rate.
Body fat can act as an insulator and help maintain body temperature.
Normal ranges for metabolic rate vary depending on age, sex, body size, activity level, and other factors.
A general estimate for resting metabolic rate (RMR) is 10 calories per kilogram of body weight per day for men and 9 calories per kilogram of body weight per day for women.
However, this may not reflect the actual metabolic rate of an individual, as it does not account for the effects of food intake, exercise, or environmental factors.
Therefore, it is better to measure metabolic rate using indirect calorimetry or other methods that can capture these variables.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is D.
Delirium.
The nurse should monitor the client for delirium, which is a state of acute mental confusion that can be caused by fever, infection, dehydration, or medications.
Delirium can affect the client’s cognition, attention, orientation, memory, and behavior.It can also increase the risk of falls, complications, and mortality.
Choice A is wrong because dehydration is not a complication of fever, but rather a possible cause of fever.
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, and it can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.Dehydration is more common and dangerous in older adults because they have a lower volume of water in their bodies, a weaker thirst response, and may have conditions or medications that increase fluid loss.
Choice B is wrong because hypothermia is not a complication of fever, but rather a condition of abnormally low body temperature.
Hypothermia can occur when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, such as in cold weather or water exposure.Hypothermia can affect the brain, heart, and other organs, and can lead to death if not treated promptly.
Choice C is wrong because seizures are not a common complication of fever in older adults.
Seizures are sudden episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in movement, sensation, behavior, or consciousness.
Seizures can have various causes, such as head injury, stroke, infection, or epilepsy.
Fever-induced seizures are more likely to occur in young children than in older adults.
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