A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which comment by the patient will cause the nurse to follow up?
- A. Every December is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector.
- B. I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week.
- C. If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected.
- D. When it is cold outside in the winter, I will use a nonvented furnace.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because using a nonvented furnace can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a significant safety hazard. The nurse should follow up to educate the patient on the dangers of using a nonvented furnace and recommend safer heating alternatives. Choice A is correct as it emphasizes the importance of changing carbon monoxide detector batteries annually. Choice B is correct as scheduling a chimney inspection is a proactive safety measure. Choice C is correct as feeling dizzy while using a heater can indicate a potential issue. Choices E, F, and G are not applicable in this context.
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A homeless adult patient presents to the emergency department with vital signs: temperature 94.8° F, blood pressure 106/56, apical pulse 58, and respiratory rate 12. Which vital sign should the nurse address immediately?
- A. Respiratory rate
- B. Temperature
- C. Apical pulse
- D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Temperature. A temperature of 94.8°F indicates hypothermia, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate attention to prevent further complications. Hypothermia can lead to decreased heart rate and blood pressure, affecting overall perfusion. Addressing the temperature first is crucial to prevent further deterioration. The other vital signs are within normal range and may not pose an immediate threat to the patient's life.
The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes confused and tries to remove an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which priority action will the nurse take?
- A. Assess the patient.
- B. Gather restraint supplies.
- C. Try alternatives to restraint.
- D. Call the health care provider for a restraint order.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient. The priority action is to assess the patient to determine the underlying cause of the sudden confusion and agitation. This will help the nurse identify any medical issues or discomfort causing the behavior, such as hypoxia, infection, or medication side effects. By assessing the patient first, the nurse can address the root cause of the behavior and implement appropriate interventions, which may include addressing the patient's needs, providing comfort measures, or involving other healthcare team members as needed. Gathering restraint supplies (B) should not be the initial action as it does not address the underlying cause of the behavior. Trying alternatives to restraint (C) is important but should come after assessing the patient. Calling the healthcare provider for a restraint order (D) should only be considered after other interventions have been attempted.
Which patient will the nurse see first?
- A. A 56-year-old patient with oxygen with a lighter on the bedside table
- B. A 56-year-old patient with oxygen using an electric razor for grooming
- C. A 1-month-old infant looking at a shiny
- D. round battery just out of arm's reach
- E. A 1-month-old infant with a pacifier that has no string around the baby's neck
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because using an electric razor near oxygen can lead to a fire hazard due to sparks. Oxygen supports combustion. Oxygen and electric razors should not be used together to prevent fires. Choices A, C, D, and E do not pose immediate safety risks requiring urgent attention. Choice A may be a safety concern but is less urgent compared to choice B. The infant in choice E is safe as there is no string around the pacifier. The infant in choice C is not in immediate danger from looking at a shiny battery. The battery in choice D is out of reach, so the infant is not at immediate risk.
The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes confused and tries to remove an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which priority action will the nurse take?
- A. Assess the patient.
- B. Gather restraint supplies.
- C. Try alternatives to restraint.
- D. Call the health care provider for a restraint order.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient. The nurse's priority is to assess the patient to determine the cause of sudden confusion and agitation. This may be due to various reasons such as hypoxia, hypoglycemia, infection, or medication side effects. Assessing the patient's vital signs, oxygen saturation, blood glucose level, and reviewing medication administration can help identify the underlying cause. Gathering restraint supplies (B) should not be the initial action as it may not address the root cause of the confusion and can lead to further agitation. Trying alternatives to restraint (C) is important, but assessing the patient should come first. Calling the healthcare provider for a restraint order (D) should only be considered after other interventions have been attempted.
The nurse is teaching a group of older adults at an assisted-living facility about age-related physiological changes affecting safety. Which question would be most important for the nurse to ask this group?
- A. Are you able to hear the tornado sirens in your area?
- B. Are you able to read your favorite book?
- C. Are you able to taste spices like before?
- D. Are you able to open a jar of pickles?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Are you able to hear the tornado sirens in your area?" This question is most important as hearing loss is a common age-related physiological change that can affect safety during emergencies. Tornado sirens are crucial for alerting individuals to seek shelter.
Summary of other choices:
B: Reading ability is important but not directly related to safety.
C: Taste changes are common with age but do not impact safety significantly.
D: Difficulty opening jars may occur with age but is not as critical for safety in emergencies.
In this context, asking about hearing the tornado sirens is the most relevant question for ensuring the safety of older adults in an assisted-living facility.