The practical nurse (PN) reviews the history of an older adult who is newly admitted to a long term care facility.

Which factor in the resident's history should the PN consider the most likely to increase the client's risk for falls?

The correct answer is choice B: Children need time to actively explore their environment. Choice A rationale:

Playpens do provide a sense of security for the child, but confining the child solely to the playpen might hinder their developmental needs. While it is essential to have a safe space for a toddler, children also require opportunities to explore and engage with their environment actively.

Choice B rationale:

The practical nurse (PN) should use this rationale when responding to the parent. Children, especially toddlers, learn and develop crucial skills through active exploration of their environment. Being confined to a playpen for extended periods may limit their opportunities for learning, hinder their physical development, and restrict social interaction, which are essential aspects of their growth.

Choice C rationale:

While playpens can provide a safe environment for a toddler when used appropriately and under supervision, keeping the child confined for the sole purpose of preventing dirtiness is not recommended. Overusing playpens can hinder a child's natural curiosity and desire to explore, potentially affecting their overall development.

Choice D rationale:

While over-concern about appearance can be harmful in some contexts, it is not directly related to the child being kept in a playpen to avoid getting dirty. The primary concern here is about providing the child with adequate opportunities for exploration, growth, and development, rather than focusing solely on appearance.

The correct answer is choice B, Serum creatinine. Choice A rationale:

The white blood cell count (WBC) is an important parameter for assessing the body's immune response to infections. While it can provide valuable information about the presence of an infection, it is not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it is not the most important laboratory value to review before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity.

Choice B rationale:

Serum creatinine is a crucial laboratory value to assess kidney function. It is a waste product that is filtered by the kidneys, and its level in the blood is a reliable indicator of kidney function. If the serum creatinine level is elevated, it suggests impaired kidney function, which can be a warning sign of nephrotoxicity. Reviewing the serum creatinine level before administering nephrotoxic antibiotics is essential to ensure that the client's kidneys are functioning adequately and to avoid potential harm.

Choice C rationale:

Hemoglobin and hematocrit are indicators of the client's red blood cell count and blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. While these values can provide information about the client's overall health status, they are not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, they are not the most important laboratory values to review in this particular scenario.

Choice D rationale:

Serum calcium levels are essential for assessing bone health, nerve function, and muscle contractions. However, they are not directly related to nephrotoxicity, and reviewing serum calcium levels alone would not provide sufficient information about kidney function. Hence, it is not the most critical value to review before administering nephrotoxic antibiotics