The primary caregiver of an elderly patient contacts the nurse at the outpatient clinic due to a sudden change in the patient’s behavior.

The caregiver informs the nurse that the patient, who is usually oriented and able to answer Questions, is now confused and agitated.

What actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)

Inquire if the patient is experiencing any pain during urination.

Encourage the patient to increase their intake of high-protein foods.

Review the patient’s current food and medication allergies.

Determine if the patient has recently experienced a fall.

Provide instructions on how to take the patient’s temperature.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,C,D,E

Choice A rationale
A sudden change in behavior, especially confusion and agitation, in an elderly patient could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Pain during urination is a common symptom of UTIs.
Therefore, it is crucial to inquire if the patient is experiencing any pain during urination.
Choice B rationale

While a high-protein diet can be beneficial for some patients, there is no direct link between increased protein intake and the alleviation of confusion or agitation in elderly patients.
Therefore, this option is not a necessary immediate action for the nurse to take.
Choice C rationale
Reviewing the patient’s current food and medication allergies is important. Certain medications or foods might cause adverse reactions, including confusion and agitation. Therefore, it is crucial to review the patient’s allergies to rule out any potential allergens as the cause of the sudden change in behavior.
Choice D rationale
A recent fall could potentially lead to a head injury, which might cause confusion and agitation. Therefore, it is important to determine if the patient has recently experienced a fall.
Choice E rationale
Providing instructions on how to take the patient’s temperature is important. Fever could be a sign of an infection or other medical condition that might cause confusion and agitation.
Therefore, knowing how to accurately measure the patient’s temperature can help monitor the patient’s condition.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Ignoring the behavior and proceeding with the IV antibiotic administration is not the best course of action. This would be an invasion of the patient’s privacy and could potentially lead to legal issues. It is important to respect the patient’s privacy and dignity at all times.
Choice B rationale
Instructing the patient to cease the inappropriate behavior is not the best course of action. While the behavior is inappropriate, it is not the nurse’s place to reprimand the patient. This could lead to a breakdown in the nurse-patient relationship and could potentially escalate the situation.
Choice C rationale
Exiting the room and closing the door quietly is the best course of action. This respects the patient’s privacy and allows the patient and visitor to finish their activity. The nurse can then return at a later time to administer the IV antibiotic.
Choice D rationale
Filling out an unusual occurrence report is not necessary in this situation. While the behavior is inappropriate, it is not an unusual occurrence that requires reporting. The nurse should handle the situation professionally and with discretion.

A. Provide a high-calorie, high-protein diet B. Begin parenteral antibiotic therapy C. Administer antiemetic agents D. Bivalve the cast for distal compromise .

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While a high-calorie, high-protein diet can be beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or illness, it is not the immediate next step after collecting bone aspirate specimens for culture and sensitivity and applying a cast to a patient’s lower leg. The priority is to address the infection identified through the bone aspirate specimens.

Choice B rationale
Beginning parenteral antibiotic therapy is the appropriate next step after collecting bone aspirate specimens for culture and sensitivity in a patient with osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone, and antibiotics are typically the first line of treatment. Therefore, this choice is the correct answer.
Choice C rationale
Administering antiemetic agents would be appropriate if the patient were experiencing nausea or vomiting. However, there is no indication in the question that the patient is experiencing these symptoms. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.
Choice D rationale
Bivalving the cast for distal compromise would be appropriate if there were signs of compromised circulation or nerve function below the level of the cast. However, there is no indication in the question that the patient is experiencing these issues. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Upon entering a patient’s room to administer an IV antibiotic at 0900, the nurse discovers that the patient is engaged in sexual activity with a visitor. What should be the nurse’s course of action?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

An adolescent patient with a non-union of a comminuted fracture of the tibia is admitted with osteomyelitis. After the healthcare provider collects bone aspirate specimens for culture and sensitivity and applies a cast to the adolescent’s lower leg, what should the nurse do next?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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