Which is the safest sleep aid for the elderly patient with insomnia?

Choice A reason: This is not the most important question for the nurse to ask the patient who has just arrived at the hospital with chest pain because it is not relevant, open-ended, or comprehensive. The nurse should not ask questions that are not related to the patient's health status, needs, or goals, but rather focus on the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, and past medical history.

Choice B reason: This is the most important question for the nurse to ask the patient who has just arrived at the hospital with chest pain because it is relevant, open-ended, and comprehensive. The nurse should ask questions that are related to the patient's health status, needs, or goals, and that elicit more information from the patient. This question allows the patient to describe the onset, duration, and frequency of their chest pain, which can help the nurse to assess the possible cause and severity of the problem.

Choice C reason: This is not the most important question for the nurse to ask the patient who has just arrived at the hospital with chest pain because it is not relevant, open-ended, or comprehensive. The nurse should not ask questions that are not related to the patient's health status, needs, or goals, but rather focus on the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, and past medical history.

Choice D reason: This is not the most important question for the nurse to ask the patient who has just arrived at the hospital with chest pain because it is not relevant, open-ended, or comprehensive. The nurse should not ask questions that are not related to the patient's health status, needs, or goals, but rather focus on the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, and past medical history.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Making sure that the earpieces fit loosely in the nurse’s ear canals will not help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. Loose earpieces can let in ambient noise and reduce the sound quality.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Utilizing a stethoscope with the longest possible tubing will not help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. Long tubing can reduce the sound transmission and create interference.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Placing the diaphragm firmly against the patient’s skin will help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. The diaphragm is the flat circular part of the chest piece that is used to listen to low-pitched sounds, such as the heart. Firm pressure creates a good seal and blocks out external noise.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Positioning the bell very lightly over the patient’s sternum will not help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. The bell is the small cup-shaped part of the chest piece that is used to listen to high-pitched sounds, such as the lungs. Light pressure is needed to avoid activating the diaphragm, but the sternum is not the best location to listen to the apical pulse.