An elderly client with a history of falls is being discharged from the hospital. Which intervention should the home health nurse implement to reduce the client's risk of falling at home?
- A. Install grab bars in the bathroom
- B. Provide a walker for ambulation
- C. Educate the client on fall prevention strategies
- D. Refer the client to a physical therapist
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Installing grab bars in the bathroom is crucial to reducing the elderly client's risk of falling at home. Grab bars provide physical support and stability, especially in areas like the bathroom where slips and falls are common among older adults. While providing a walker for ambulation (Choice B) can assist with mobility, it may not directly address the environmental hazards at home. Educating the client on fall prevention strategies (Choice C) is important but may not be sufficient if the physical environment is not modified to reduce fall risks. Referring the client to a physical therapist (Choice D) may help improve strength and balance but does not directly address the immediate environmental risk of falling at home.
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The healthcare professional is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with anemia. Which action is most important to prevent a transfusion reaction?
- A. Check the client's vital signs before starting the transfusion.
- B. Use a blood filter when administering the transfusion.
- C. Verify the blood type and Rh factor with another healthcare professional.
- D. Administer antihistamines before starting the transfusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Verifying the blood type and Rh factor with another healthcare professional is the most crucial action to prevent a transfusion reaction. Ensuring compatibility between the donor blood and the recipient is essential in preventing adverse reactions such as hemolytic transfusion reactions. Checking vital signs is important for monitoring the client during the transfusion process but does not directly prevent a transfusion reaction. Using a blood filter can help remove clots and debris but does not address the risk of a reaction due to blood type incompatibility. Administering antihistamines before the transfusion is not a standard practice to prevent transfusion reactions related to blood type incompatibility.
The client with liver cirrhosis needs immediate intervention for which abnormal laboratory result?
- A. Prothrombin time (PT) of 14 seconds.
- B. Bilirubin of 1.2 mg/dL.
- C. Albumin of 4 g/dL.
- D. Ammonia level of 80 mcg/dL.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An elevated ammonia level of 80 mcg/dL indicates hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver cirrhosis that requires immediate intervention. Ammonia is a neurotoxin that accumulates in the blood due to impaired liver function, leading to cognitive impairment and altered mental status. Monitoring and lowering ammonia levels are crucial in managing hepatic encephalopathy to prevent further neurological deterioration. Prothrombin time, bilirubin, and albumin levels are important parameters in assessing liver function and overall health status in clients with liver cirrhosis, but an elevated ammonia level poses an immediate threat to neurological function and warrants prompt attention.
In conducting a health assessment for a family with a history of diabetes, which family member should be prioritized for further evaluation and intervention?
- A. a 50-year-old mother with a history of hypertension
- B. a 45-year-old father who is overweight and has high cholesterol
- C. a 17-year-old daughter who is inactive
- D. a 12-year-old son who has a normal weight and is active
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is the 45-year-old father who is overweight and has high cholesterol. He possesses multiple risk factors for diabetes, indicating a need for prioritized evaluation and intervention. The mother's hypertension, the daughter's inactivity, and the son's normal weight and activity level are important factors to consider but do not present as immediate red flags for diabetes risk compared to the father's combination of being overweight and having high cholesterol.
A client with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted with cirrhosis. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Jaundice.
- B. Ascites.
- C. Peripheral edema.
- D. Spider angiomas.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Peripheral edema in a client with cirrhosis can indicate fluid overload and worsening liver function, necessitating immediate intervention to prevent further complications such as respiratory distress, cardiac issues, or renal impairment. Jaundice (choice A) is a common manifestation of cirrhosis but may not require immediate intervention unless severe. Ascites (choice B) is also a common complication of cirrhosis that may require intervention but is not as urgent as addressing peripheral edema. Spider angiomas (choice D) are typically benign skin lesions associated with cirrhosis but do not require immediate intervention unless bleeding or rupture occurs.
When developing a program to support caregivers of elderly patients, which topic should be prioritized in the first session?
- A. Managing medication schedules
- B. Recognizing signs of caregiver burnout
- C. Effective communication with healthcare providers
- D. Navigating insurance and financial issues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recognizing signs of caregiver burnout is the most critical topic to prioritize in the first session. Caregiver burnout can have detrimental effects on both the caregiver and the elderly patient's well-being. By addressing this issue early on, caregivers can learn to identify the signs of burnout, take necessary steps to prevent it, and ensure they can continue providing effective care for their loved ones. Managing medication schedules, effective communication with healthcare providers, and navigating insurance and financial issues are also important aspects to cover in the program. However, recognizing signs of caregiver burnout is essential for the overall health and quality of care provided by the caregivers.