An 85-year-old client is seen in the Emergency Department after a fall at home. The client is slightly confused, malnourished, and severely dehydrated. The client is reluctant to say what happened and her daughter constantly interrupts, not allowing the client to answer. Which of the following nursing interventions is a priority?
Request a psychiatric evaluation for the client
Interview the client alone and assess for abuse
Provide the daughter and client with nutritional counseling
Take the history from the daughter because of the client's confusion
The Correct Answer is B
B. Given the client's confusion and the daughter's behavior of constantly interrupting and not allowing the client to answer, there may be concerns about elder abuse or neglect. It's essential to create a safe and private environment for the client to speak freely without interference.
A. The client's confusion and reluctance to speak may raise concerns about their mental status. However, requesting a psychiatric evaluation is not the priority in this scenario. The client's immediate needs, including hydration, nutrition, and safety, should be addressed first.
C. Addressing malnutrition is important but providing nutritional counseling is not the priority in this scenario. The client's severe dehydration and potential abuse or neglect take precedence over nutritional concerns.
D. Obtaining information from the daughter may be helpful but it should not be the sole source of information, especially if there are concerns about the daughter's behavior and potential interference with the client's ability to communicate.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. This behavior suggests the possibility of suicidal ideation, which is a medical emergency in mental health care. The nurse should assess the client for suicidal thoughts, intentions, and plans, and provide a safe environment to prevent self-harm. It's crucial to address this as a priority to ensure the safety and well- being of the client.
A. Withdrawing from social interactions can be a symptom of depression. However, it may not always be the highest priority intervention
B. This behavior suggests agitation and potential delusional thinking, which can be indicative of a severe depressive episode or a mixed state in bipolar disorder. This however, does not indicate the need for immediate intervention.
C. Non-adherence to prescribed medication, particularly mood stabilizers, can significantly impact the management of bipolar disorder and increase the risk of mood destabilization. However, addressing adherence is not the priority intervention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. This recognizes that the client's improvement in mood is a typical response to antidepressant medication and does not automatically suggest any negative outcomes such as suicidal ideation or serotonin syndrome.
A. It's important to be vigilant for signs of suicidal ideation but sudden improvements in mood can also occur as a positive response to antidepressant medication.
B. The client's description of feeling better does not align with the symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and hyperthermia.
C. Antidepressant medications often take several weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect, so it's not unusual for some clients to experience an improvement in mood within the first few weeks of treatment.
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