An older adult client is admitted to the hospital from a skilled care facility with dehydration and malnourishment. The client is oriented times four, but is despondent and withdrawn. The practical nurse (PN) observes that the client has multiple bruises on both arms and has poor hygiene. Which action should the PN implement first?
Document suspected abuse using the physical findings as supporting evidence.
Establish trust with the client to ensure basic needs and open communications are met.
Medicate the client as prescribed to ensure adequate rest and interventional therapies.
Contact social services to investigate the personnel at the skilled care facility.
The Correct Answer is B
A. While documentation is essential, establishing a trusting relationship with the client is a more immediate priority to address their basic needs and gather information.
B. Establishing trust with the client is crucial to ensure their basic needs are met and to create an environment where the client feels safe to communicate openly. This foundational step is necessary before other interventions can be effectively implemented.
C. Medicating the client as prescribed is important for their overall care but does not address the immediate need to build trust and assess their situation comprehensively.
D. Contacting social services is a necessary step if abuse is suspected, but it should follow the initial assessment and establishment of trust with the client to gather accurate information.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Measure urinary output.
Measuring urinary output is important for monitoring fluid balance but is not the most critical intervention for assessing left-sided heart failure specifically.
B. Auscultate all lung fields.
Auscultating lung fields is crucial for assessing signs of pulmonary edema, a key symptom of left-sided heart failure. It provides direct information about the severity of the condition and guides further management.
C. Check mental acuity.
Checking mental acuity can be useful but is not the most critical intervention for managing left-sided heart failure. It is less directly related to evaluating the severity of heart failure compared to lung auscultation.
D. Inspect for sacral edema.
Inspecting for sacral edema is more relevant for right-sided heart failure. For left-sided heart failure, the priority is evaluating pulmonary symptoms, not peripheral edema.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hoarseness in the voice following a thyroidectomy can be a sign of vocal cord damage or laryngeal nerve injury, which are potentially serious complications. The appropriate action is to notify the unit charge nurse to escalate the finding for further assessment by a physician or advanced practice provider.
B. Administering humidified oxygen does not specifically address the issue of hoarseness. While humidified oxygen might be beneficial for general respiratory comfort, it is not a targeted intervention for potential vocal cord damage.
C. Ensuring that the drainage device is compressed is important for managing surgical wounds but does not address or diagnose vocal cord issues. Hoarseness after thyroid surgery is more indicative of a potential complication rather than a drainage issue.
D. Obtaining ice chips does not address the underlying cause of the hoarseness and may not provide significant relief. The priority is to identify potential complications rather than offering symptomatic relief.
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