What is the most important aspect of care for the nurse to maintain when assisting an older client with urinary incontinence?

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer because the nurse should assess the patient's pain level and location, even if he denies pain. The patient's vital signs indicate that he may be experiencing pain, as increased heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure are common physiological responses to pain. Pain can also be masked by other factors, such as fear, anxiety, or stoicism. Therefore, the nurse should ask the patient about his comfort and use a valid pain assessment tool, such as the numeric rating scale or the faces pain scale, to measure his pain intensity.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because the nurse should not administer an opioid medication by IV route without assessing the patient's pain level and location first. Opioid medications are potent analgesics that can relieve severe pain, but they can also cause serious side effects, such as respiratory depression, sedation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or dependence. The nurse should follow the principles of pain management, such as using the lowest effective dose, titrating the dose according to the patient's response, and monitoring the patient for adverse effects. The nurse should also consider using non-pharmacological interventions, such as ice packs, elevation, or distraction, to complement the pharmacological therapy.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the nurse should not check the surgical dressing for bleeding without assessing the patient's pain level and location first. Checking the surgical dressing for bleeding is an important intervention to monitor the patient's wound healing and prevent infection, but it is not the priority in this scenario. The nurse should first assess the patient's pain and provide appropriate pain relief, as pain can impair wound healing and increase the risk of complications. The nurse should also obtain the patient's consent and explain the procedure before checking the surgical dressing, as this can cause discomfort and anxiety.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because the nurse should not report the vital signs to the health care provider without assessing the patient's pain level and location first. Reporting the vital signs to the health care provider is an important intervention to communicate the patient's condition and obtain further orders, but it is not the priority in this scenario. The nurse should first assess the patient's pain and provide appropriate pain relief, as pain can affect the vital signs and the patient's well-being. The nurse should also document the patient's pain assessment and intervention in the medical record, as this can facilitate the continuity of care and evaluation of outcomes.

Choice A reason: Altering modifiable risk factors is a good goal for anyone who wants to improve their health and wellness, but it is not specific to the case of the African American man who already has a normal blood pressure and no apparent health problems. Modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed by lifestyle choices, such as smoking, diet, exercise, stress, or alcohol consumption.

Choice B reason: Maintaining tight glycemic control is a relevant goal for people who have diabetes or prediabetes, as it can help prevent or delay the complications of high blood sugar, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, or eye damage. However, there is no indication that the African American man has diabetes or prediabetes, so this goal is not applicable to him.

Choice C reason: Recognizing disease in its early stages is a general goal for everyone who wants to prevent or treat health problems, but it is not specific to the case of the African American man who has no signs or symptoms of any disease. Moreover, this goal is more reactive than proactive, as it implies waiting for disease to occur rather than preventing it.

Choice D reason: Preventing cardiovascular disease is the best goal for the nurse to use to assist the African American man in maintaining his health and wellness into older age, as it is specific, proactive, and evidence-based. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it is more prevalent and severe among African Americans than other racial groups. Therefore, the nurse would advise the African American man to monitor his blood pressure regularly, follow a healthy diet, exercise moderately, avoid smoking, and take medication if needed to prevent cardiovascular disease.