An older adult patient arrives at the clinic reporting decreased strength in knees and handgrips. What action should the nurse include in a functional assessment of this patient?

Inquire about the frequency of falls in recent months.

Ask the patient how often episodes of sundowning are experienced.

Assist the patient with clarifying values about end-of-life care options.

Request the patient to lie as still as possible for the assessment.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale

Inquiring about the frequency of falls in recent months is an important part of a functional assessment for an older adult patient reporting decreased strength in knees and handgrips. Falls can be a sign of decreased muscle strength and balance, which can be associated with aging and certain medical conditions.

Choice B rationale

Sundowning, or increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening, is a symptom often associated with dementia, not necessarily with decreased strength in knees and handgrips.

Choice C rationale

While discussing end-of-life care options is an important aspect of comprehensive patient care, it is not directly related to the patient’s reported symptoms of decreased strength.

Choice D rationale

Requesting the patient to lie as still as possible for the assessment may not provide comprehensive information about the patient’s functional mobility and strength.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Heparin is an anticoagulant medication that prevents the formation of blood clots. One of the most common and serious side effects of heparin therapy is bleeding. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to observe for signs of bleeding, such as bruising, petechiae, hematomas, black tarry stools, hematuria, and changes in mental status. Regular laboratory monitoring of the client’s coagulation status, specifically the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), is also necessary to ensure therapeutic levels of heparin without causing excessive bleeding.

Choice B rationale

While mobilization can help prevent the formation of new clots, it is not the most important intervention for a client who is already on a heparin protocol for DVT. Mobilization can potentially dislodge the existing clot, leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Choice C rationale

Although it is important to monitor vital signs in all clients, assessing blood pressure and heart rate every 4 hours is not the most important intervention for a client on a heparin protocol.

Changes in blood pressure and heart rate are not specific to heparin therapy and do not provide direct information about the effectiveness or side effects of the medication.

Choice D rationale

Measuring each calf’s girth can help evaluate the progression of edema in the affected leg, but it is not the most important intervention for a client on a heparin protocol. While it can provide information about the local effects of the DVT, it does not address the systemic anticoagulation effects of heparin therapy.

A. Ensure that the infant’s crib mattress is firm. B. Prop the infant with a pillow when in a side-lying position. C. Swaddle the infant in a blanket for sleeping. D. Place the infant in a prone position whenever possible.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

A firm crib mattress is crucial in reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Soft surfaces can conform to the infant’s face and potentially block their airway, leading to suffocation.

Choice B rationale

Propping the infant with a pillow when in a side-lying position is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS. Infants should always be placed on their backs to sleep.

Choice C rationale

Swaddling the infant in a blanket for sleeping is not the most important measure to prevent SIDS. Overheating and loose bedding are risk factors for SIDS23.

Choice D rationale

Placing the infant in a prone position whenever possible is not recommended. Infants should always be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS23.

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An older adult patient arrives at the clinic reporting decreased strength in knees and handgrips. What action should the nurse include in a functional assessment of this patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg is on a heparin protocol. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is planning to teach infant care and preventive measures for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) to a group of new parents. Which information is most important for the nurse to include?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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