Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s progress.
The Correct Answer is []
Condition: Elder maltreatment 2 actions: Initiate a referral to adult protective services; Administer prescribed pain medication 2 parameters: Frequency and severity of bruises; Nutritional intake and weight
Rationale for correct condition The client’s physical signs (multiple bruises in various stages, unclean appearance), social indicators (dependency, financial control, food insecurity), and behavioral changes in the presence of the caregiver strongly suggest elder abuse. Elder maltreatment includes physical, emotional, financial, and neglectful harm. An 82-year-old with a BMI of 18.3 shows undernutrition. His improved demeanor away from the child reflects psychological coercion. Bruises in different stages may indicate repeated trauma over time.
Rationale for correct actions Referral to adult protective services ensures legal and social intervention and facilitates multidisciplinary evaluation for safety. Reporting is mandated and protects the client from further harm. Administering pain medication addresses acute injury (fracture of right radius) and helps restore comfort. Effective pain management is crucial for mobility and assessment of additional injuries.
Rationale for correct parameters Monitoring bruising patterns helps identify ongoing abuse and quantify recovery or new trauma. Repeated injuries in various healing stages are hallmark signs. Nutritional intake and weight reflect neglect; insufficient food intake leads to weight loss and reduced immune function. Tracking BMI and calorie intake can guide long-term recovery and support.
Rationale for incorrect conditions Osteoporosis-related fracture would more likely occur with minimal trauma and does not explain social neglect or emotional signs. Accidental fall may be plausible but lacks explanation for systemic neglect and coercion. Peripheral neuropathy doesn’t explain acute arm pain or psychosocial signs of neglect.
Rationale for incorrect actions Encouraging activity is inappropriate during acute fracture recovery and potential abuse. Bone density scans assess fragility but don’t address safety risks. Nutritional supplements may help but don’t resolve underlying maltreatment or acute injury.
Rationale for incorrect parameters Bone density is not immediately relevant and doesn't reflect maltreatment. Blood pressure fluctuations are not present and don’t indicate abuse. Grip strength cannot be assessed accurately with an arm fracture and isn't useful for abuse evaluation.
Take-home points • Elder maltreatment includes physical harm, neglect, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation • Victims may show improved responsiveness when abuser is absent • Multidisciplinary intervention via adult protective services is critical • Differentiation from accidental injury ensures proper protection and care
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Chills are a systemic manifestation of an infectious process and are commonly associated with endometritis. Endometritis is an infection of the uterine lining, which can cause a systemic inflammatory response. This response often includes fever and chills, as the body's immune system fights the invading pathogens, causing a thermoregulatory cascade. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is typical.
Choice B rationale
Back pain can occur with various postpartum conditions, but it is not a primary or specific finding for endometritis. While uterine cramping and pelvic pain are characteristic due to the uterine inflammation, back pain is not as specific. More classic signs are fever, lower abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling lochia due to the presence of bacteria.
Choice C rationale
Tachycardia, not bradycardia, is an expected finding in a client with endometritis. Tachycardia is a physiological response to fever, infection, and the systemic inflammatory process. The heart rate increases to compensate for increased metabolic demand and to circulate immune cells more efficiently. Bradycardia would be an unusual and unexpected finding.
Choice D rationale
Agitation is not a primary or typical finding of endometritis. Endometritis is a physical infection of the uterine lining. While discomfort and fever may cause irritability, agitation is not a specific expected symptom. This finding is more associated with neurological or psychiatric conditions, or severe complications like septic shock, which is a more advanced state. *.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Based on the client's statements, there is strong evidence of neglect and potential exploitation. Neglect is indicated by the inadequate food supply and minimal meal preparation. Financial exploitation is suggested by the client's lack of access to their retirement income, despite it being used for their care. This situation poses a serious risk to the client's well-being, triggering the nurse's ethical and legal duty to report suspected elder abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Choice B rationale
While gathering more information is often a good practice, directly questioning the adult child about financial matters could escalate the situation and potentially put the client at further risk. The primary responsibility of the nurse in this scenario is to ensure the client's safety, and the existing information is sufficient to warrant a report. The client has already provided a detailed account of the financial arrangement and their lack of access to funds, which is a key indicator of exploitation.
Choice C rationale
Educating the adult child about nutrition, while potentially helpful in some circumstances, does not address the immediate and serious issues of neglect and financial exploitation. The client's safety is the priority. Focusing solely on education ignores the broader pattern of abuse and the client's vulnerability, which requires a more direct and protective intervention.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging the client to speak with their adult child may place them in a more vulnerable position and could increase the risk of retaliation or further neglect. The client has already expressed an understanding of their adult child's frustration, and this approach fails to address the power imbalance and exploitative nature of the relationship. It is not an appropriate or safe intervention in a situation of suspected abuse. *.
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