An older adult client who has been talking to the client's deceased mother is referred to the psychiatric clinic for an evaluation. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

Assess daily alcohol intake.

Identify signs of depression.

Determine cognitive status.

Review risk factors for abuse.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Assess daily alcohol intake: Alcohol misuse can contribute to a variety of psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations or delusions. Older adults may metabolize alcohol differently, leading to higher susceptibility to its effects. While this is important, it may not be the first priority unless there are clear signs of alcohol misuse (e.g., smell of alcohol, history provided by the client or family).

B. Identify signs of depression: Depression in older adults can sometimes present with psychotic features, including hallucinations or delusions. Understanding the client's emotional state and identifying symptoms of depression can provide insight into the cause of their behaviour. Depression is common in older adults and can be a precursor or a component of other psychiatric conditions.

C. Determine cognitive status: Cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia) can often present with hallucinations or delusions, and evaluating cognitive status can help differentiate between different types of disorders (e.g., dementia vs. primary psychotic disorders). Assessing cognitive function helps in identifying conditions like Alzheimer's disease or other dementias where hallucinations can be a symptom. This assessment can guide the further direction of evaluation and treatment, making it a critical first step.

D. Review risk factors for abuse: Older adults are at risk of abuse, which can include physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Identifying these risk factors is crucial for their safety and well-being. While this is a significant concern, unless there are immediate signs or disclosures of abuse, it may not be the most urgent assessment in the context of hallucinations.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A: Primary source of water. This assessment might be relevant if there is a concern about lead exposure or other contaminants in the water, which can contribute to anemia. Therefore, while important in certain contexts, it is not the most immediate assessment for these specific clinical manifestations.

B: Standard household income. Household income can influence access to nutritious food and overall health. Lower income can lead to food insecurity, poor diet quality, and subsequently, anemia and lower BMI due to inadequate nutrient intake. This can be an indirect but important factor to consider. However, it does not directly assess the child’s dietary intake or specific nutritional deficiencies.

C: Family history of eating disorders. Family history of eating disorders might provide insights into potential genetic or environmental predispositions to eating disorders. However, eating disorders are more commonly associated with adolescents and adults rather than school-age children.

D: Average daily intake of meals. This is the most directly relevant assessment. Analyzing the child's average daily intake of meals can provide immediate insights into potential nutritional deficiencies that might explain both the low hemoglobin level (anemia) and low BMI. Poor dietary intake, particularly of iron-rich foods, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia and inadequate caloric intake, affecting BMI. This assessment helps identify specific dietary issues that can be addressed directly to improve the child’s health.

A. "I cough a lot at night and it keeps me up half the night." B. "I sleep on three pillows at night." C. " have multiple attacks of wheezing almost daily." D. "It doesn't take much activity before I'm out of breath."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "I cough a lot at night and it keeps me up half the night." Night-time coughing can be associated with various conditions, including asthma, GERD, or postnasal drip, but it is not specifically indicative of orthopnoea.

B. "I sleep on three pillows at night." This supports orthopnoea, which is difficulty breathing when lying flat. Clients with orthopnoea often use multiple pillows to elevate their upper body to alleviate shortness of breath.

C. "I have multiple attacks of wheezing almost daily." Frequent wheezing is more indicative of asthma or other obstructive airway diseases, not orthopnoea.

D. "It doesn't take much activity before I'm out of breath." This describes dyspnoea on exertion, which is different from orthopnoea, as it refers to difficulty breathing during physical activity rather than when lying down.

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An older adult client who has been talking to the client's deceased mother is referred to the psychiatric clinic for an evaluation. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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