At 1200, the practical nurse (PN) learns that a client's 0900 dose of an anticonvulsant was not given. The next scheduled dose is at 2100. Which action should the PN take?

1. Dark Room Lighting
   Consistent with Elder Mistreatment: A dark, uninviting environment can indicate neglect or lack of proper care. It may reflect poor living conditions or neglect of the client's environment, which can be a sign of mistreatment.
2. Malnutrition
   Consistent with Elder Mistreatment: The client’s low weight (98 lb) relative to her height (5 ft 4 in) suggests potential malnutrition. Malnutrition can be a sign of neglect, as the client might not be receiving adequate food or nutrition, which is a form of mistreatment.
3. Pressure Injuries
   Consistent with Elder Mistreatment: Although the pressure injuries have closed, the presence of Stage II pressure ulcers in the past indicates a lack of proper care and attention to the client’s needs. Pressure ulcers are a common sign of neglect in care settings.

Not Consistent with Elder Mistreatment

• Poor Hygiene
  Not Consistent: The client appears clean and healthy with no issues in skin condition or oral hygiene, so this is not a sign of mistreatment.
• Bilateral Leg Edema
  Not Consistent: While edema might be a concern in heart failure management, it is not specifically indicative of elder mistreatment.
• Short Term Memory Loss
  Not Consistent: Short-term memory loss is not necessarily a sign of mistreatment; it could be related to aging or medical conditions.

A. Body temperature is not directly relevant to the administration of zolpidem. Zolpidem is a sleep aid, so assessing body temperature is not necessary for this medication.
B. Bowel sounds are important for gastrointestinal assessments but are not related to the immediate considerations for zolpidem administration.
C. Assessing mental status is crucial before administering zolpidem because this medication can cause side effects like drowsiness, confusion, or impaired cognition. Ensuring the client’s mental status is appropriate helps prevent adverse effects.
D. Skin integrity is important for general health assessments but is not specifically relevant before administering a sleep aid like zolpidem.