A nurse is planning care for a client who has dementia and lives at home. Which of the following physiological changes should the nurse educate the client and family to monitor?
Weight loss
Decreased mobility
Increased physical activity
Unkempt appearance
Constipation
Correct Answer : A,B,C,D,E
A. Weight loss:
Weight loss can occur in individuals with dementia due to various factors, including decreased appetite, difficulty eating or swallowing, and increased energy expenditure.
Monitoring weight regularly can help detect changes in nutritional status and identify potential health concerns, such as malnutrition or dehydration.
B. Decreased mobility:
Individuals with dementia may experience a decline in mobility and functional abilities as the disease progresses.
Monitoring changes in mobility, such as difficulty walking, transferring, or performing activities of daily living, is important for assessing functional decline and implementing appropriate interventions to maintain mobility and prevent complications such as falls.
C. Increased physical activity:
While dementia can lead to decreased physical activity in some individuals, others may exhibit increased restlessness or wandering behaviors.
Monitoring changes in physical activity levels can help identify agitation, restlessness, or wandering behaviors that may require intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual with dementia.
D. Unkempt appearance:
Individuals with dementia may neglect personal hygiene and grooming tasks, leading to an unkempt appearance.
Monitoring changes in appearance, such as poor personal hygiene, disheveled clothing, or neglect of grooming habits, can indicate difficulties with self-care and may necessitate assistance or supervision to maintain hygiene and appearance.
E. Constipation:
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal symptom in individuals with dementia, often due to factors such as reduced fluid intake, decreased physical activity, and side effects of medications.
Monitoring bowel habits and addressing constipation promptly can help prevent discomfort, complications such as fecal impaction, and maintain overall gastrointestinal health in individuals with dementia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Pooling of blood and edema around the eyes: Basilar skull fractures can lead to leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the surrounding tissues, resulting in periorbital ecchymosis, also known as raccoon eyes, due to pooling of blood and edema around the eyes. This finding is characteristic of basilar skull fractures and is caused by disruption of the meninges and subsequent CSF leakage into the soft tissues of the face.
B. Ability to recall how the injury occurred: Memory loss regarding the events surrounding the injury, known as post-traumatic amnesia, is common with basilar skull fractures. This amnesia occurs due to the impact of the injury on the brain and may involve retrograde amnesia (loss of memory of events leading up to the injury) and anterograde amnesia (loss of memory of events occurring after the injury).
C. Bruising over the mastoid process: Bruising over the mastoid process, known as Battle sign, is associated with basilar skull fractures. Battle sign results from blood accumulation (hematoma) in the mastoid region behind the ear due to fracture-related injury to the middle meningeal artery or other blood vessels. This finding typically develops 24-48 hours after the injury.
D. Chvostek’s sign: Chvostek's sign is a clinical manifestation of hypocalcemia, not basilar skull fractures. It is elicited by tapping the facial nerve (facial nerve spasm) and is indicative of neuromuscular irritability due to decreased calcium levels. Chvostek's sign is not directly related to basilar skull fractures.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Completing hourly endotracheal suctioning: Hourly endotracheal suctioning is not typically indicated for a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Frequent suctioning can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure and potentially compromise venous return, which may further elevate ICP. Suctioning should be performed as needed to maintain airway patency while minimizing the risk of increasing ICP.
B. Ensuring proper ventriculostomy transducer levels: Ensuring proper ventriculostomy transducer levels is important for accurate measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) but may not directly alleviate elevated ICP. Monitoring ICP through ventriculostomy allows for timely detection of changes in ICP, which can guide interventions to manage elevated pressure levels. However, it is not a direct intervention to reduce ICP.
C. Monitoring volume status: Monitoring volume status is important in managing a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as both hypovolemia and hypervolemia can impact ICP. However, monitoring volume status alone does not directly address elevated ICP. Interventions to optimize volume status, such as fluid administration or diuresis, may be implemented based on assessment findings, but they should be done cautiously to avoid exacerbating cerebral edema or altering cerebral perfusion.
D. Elevating the head of the bed 15°: Elevating the head of the bed 15° (or higher) is a crucial intervention for managing a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This position helps promote venous drainage from the brain, reducing venous congestion and intracranial pressure. Elevating the head of the bed also helps prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from pooling in the brain, which can further increase ICP. Placing the client in a semi-upright position is a standard practice in managing ICP and is recommended in various clinical guidelines.
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