The home health nurse is assessing an older client who lives alone. The client reports being troubled by constipation. Which additional information should the nurse obtain to formulate a plan of care? (Select all that apply.)
Current prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
Next scheduled visit with healthcare provider.
Methods currently used to treat constipation.
Daily food and fluid intake.
Level of physical activity and exercise.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Certain medications can contribute to constipation as a side effect. Reviewing the client's medication list will help identify any potential medications that may be causing or exacerbating constipation.
Understanding the client's current approach to managing constipation, such as dietary changes, laxative use, or other remedies, will provide insight into their self-care practices and effectiveness of current interventions.
Diet plays a crucial role in bowel regularity. Assessing the client's dietary habits, including fiber intake and hydration, can help identify potential factors contributing to constipation.
Physical activity and exercise promote bowel regularity by stimulating intestinal motility. Evaluating the client's level of physical activity and exercise routine can provide information on their overall mobility and potential impact on bowel function.
The next scheduled visit with the healthcare provider may be important for the overall management of the client's health but may not be directly related to formulating a plan of care specifically for constipation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The information that the nurse should obtain from the client first is: Reason for taking the aspirin.
It is important to first understand why the client was taking aspirin in order to determine the potential implications of switching to ibuprofen. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but they have different indications and effects. Aspirin is commonly used for its antiplatelet properties to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, while ibuprofen is primarily used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
By understanding the reason for taking aspirin, the nurse can assess if the client was using it for its antiplatelet effects, which is important information to consider for the client's overall health and well-being.
Once the reason for taking aspirin is determined, the nurse can proceed to inquire about the other relevant information, such as the dosage of ibuprofen taken, presence of gastric pain, and amount of pain control. These details will help in assessing the client's current medication regimen, potential side effects or complications, and overall pain management.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E","H"]
Explanation
- Capillary refill: This is a quick and simple way to assess the adequacy of peripheral perfusion and can help identify signs of dehydration.
- Skin turgor: Assessing the skin turgor, or the elasticity of the skin, is another useful indicator of dehydration.
- Heart rate: Tachycardia can be a sign of dehydration, so monitoring the heart rate is an important component of the assessment.
- Blood pressure: Blood pressure can be affected by dehydration, so monitoring it is important in determining the severity of dehydration and in guiding appropriate interventions.
- Temperature: Fever is a potential cause of dehydration, so monitoring the temperature is an important part of the assessment.
- Skin color of hands and feet: Checking the color of the skin on the hands and feet can help identify signs of poor perfusion and dehydration.
Assessing the level of consciousness, pupil size and reactiveness, and respiratory rate are important aspects of the neurological and respiratory assessments but are not specific to the assessment of dehydration.
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