The nurse is preparing to apply a topical cream on the arm of a cognitively impaired, anorexic older adult patient in the terminal stage of lung cancer. The nurse carefully monitors the effectiveness of the medication because its effectiveness will be most negatively impacted by the patient's:

A. While this information can be helpful in understanding the patient's social context, it does not directly contribute to the development of a plan of care.
B. This information is important for understanding the patient's medical history and identifying any potential risk factors. However, a baseline assessment of physical and cognitive functioning is also essential for developing a comprehensive plan of care.
C. This assessment can be helpful in evaluating the patient's cognitive function, but it does not provide a complete picture of their overall physical and functional status.
D. When caring for an older adult in the emergency department, it is crucial to have a baseline understanding of their physical and cognitive functioning. This information will help the nurse assess the patient's current condition and identify any significant changes that may require intervention.

A. The patient's mental status is crucial for understanding their current cognitive and emotional condition. This information helps the incoming nurse assess whether there have been any changes or concerns regarding the patient's orientation, mood, or cognitive function.
B. Documenting all pertinent nursing care provides a comprehensive overview of what has been done for the patient during the shift, including any treatments, medications administered, and changes in the patient's condition.
C. While knowing who visited the patient might be relevant in some contexts, it is generally not a core component of clinical shift reports unless the visitors' presence impacted patient care or the patient’s condition. This information is usually not necessary for the shift report unless it directly affects the
patient’s care or treatment, such as if a visitor brought important information or had a significant impact on the patient.

D. The status of lung sounds is a specific aspect of the patient's physical assessment and can indicate respiratory issues or improvements. This data is necessary if the patient has a respiratory condition or if there have been recent changes in their respiratory status. It helps the incoming nurse evaluate the effectiveness of treatments and ongoing respiratory care.
E. Information about the patient's favorite TV shows is not relevant to clinical care and does not impact
the patient’s health status or the nursing interventions required. This information is not necessary for
the shift report as it does not contribute to the patient’s medical or care needs.