Assuming each of these patients was discharged from the hospital, which older adult patient is at greatest risk for decreased functional status and quality of life?
- A. A 70-year-old who had coronary artery bypass surgery developed complications after surgery and had difficulty being weaned from meacbhirba.ncoicma/tle svt entilation. The patient required a tracheostomy and gastrostomy and is now being discharged to a long-term, acute care hospital. The patient lost their sig nificant other 3 years ago.
- B. A 79-year-old admitted for exacerbation of heart failure manages health care independently but needs diuretic medications adjusted . The patient states being compliant with prescribed medications but sometimes forgets to take them. The patient and 82-year-old spouse consider themselves to be independent and support each other.
- C. A 90-year-old admitted for a carotid endarterectomy lives in an assisted living facility (ALF) but is cognitively intact and claims to be the “social butterfly” at all of the events at the ALF. The patient is hospitalized for 4 days and discharged to the ALF.
- D. An 84-year-old who had stents placed to treat coronary artery occlusion has diabetes that has been managed, lives alone since losin g significant other 10 years ago, and was driving prior to hospitalization. The patieanbitr bw.caoms /dteisst charged home within 3 days of the procedure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because this patient had a complex surgery with complications, requiring long-term care and loss of a significant other, which can impact their emotional well-being and support system. This can lead to decreased functional status and quality of life.
Choice B is incorrect as the patient has support from a spouse and manages health care independently, indicating a good support system. Choice C is incorrect as the patient is cognitively intact and social, which suggests a good quality of life. Choice D is incorrect as the patient had a less complex procedure, well-managed diabetes, and was living independently, which indicates a lower risk for decreased functional status and quality of life compared to choice A.
You may also like to solve these questions
An 81-year-old patient who has been in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a week is now stable, and transfer to the progressive care unit is planned. On rounds, the nurse notices that the patient has new onset confusion. The nurse will plan to:
- A. Give PRN lorazepam (Ativan) and cancel the transfer.
- B. Inform the receiving nurse and then transfer the patient.
- C. Notify the health care provider and postpone the transfer.
- D. Obtain an order for restraints as needed and transfer the patient.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the health care provider and postpone the transfer. The new onset confusion in an elderly patient in the ICU can be a sign of delirium, which is a serious condition that requires prompt evaluation and management. By notifying the healthcare provider, they can assess the patient's condition, order appropriate tests, and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Postponing the transfer allows for further observation and intervention to address the underlying cause of the confusion.
Choice A (Give PRN lorazepam and cancel the transfer) is incorrect because administering lorazepam may worsen the confusion in an elderly patient and should not be done without proper evaluation.
Choice B (Inform the receiving nurse and then transfer the patient) is incorrect because transferring the patient without addressing the new onset confusion can lead to potential complications and delay in appropriate management.
Choice D (Obtain an order for restraints as needed and transfer the patient) is incorrect because using restraints should only be considered as a
Which of the following statements regarding pain and anxiety are true? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Anxiety is a state marked by apprehension, agitation, a utonomic arousal, and/or fearful withdrawal.
- B. Critically ill patients often experience anxiety, but they rarely experience pain.
- C. Pain and anxiety are often interrelated and may be diffaibciurbl.tc otmo /tdeisft ferentiate because their physiological and behavioral manifestations are similar.
- D. Pain is defined by each patient; it is whatever the perso n experiencing the pain says it is.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale:
A: Correct. Anxiety is characterized by apprehension, agitation, autonomic arousal, and fearful withdrawal, which are distinct from pain.
B: Incorrect. Critically ill patients can experience both anxiety and pain, as pain is not exclusive to them.
C: Incorrect. While pain and anxiety can be interrelated, they can be differentiated based on their unique physiological and behavioral manifestations.
D: Incorrect. Pain is a subjective experience, but it is not solely defined by the individual; objective assessments are also important.
An ICU nurse has provided excellent care for a 6-year-old girl who had been admitted to the ICU for a head injury. The nurse was attentive not only to the needs of the patient but also went out of her way to care for the needs of the girls family. According to research, which of the following forms of recognition would the nurse value the most?
- A. A card from the girls family
- B. A plaque from the ICU physicians naming her as Nurse of the Year
- C. A letter of commendation from the hospitals administration
- D. A bouquet of flowers from her supervisor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A: A card from the girl's family. The nurse would value this form of recognition the most because it directly reflects the impact of her care on the patient and her family. It is a personal, heartfelt gesture that acknowledges the nurse's compassion and dedication. A card from the family shows genuine appreciation and gratitude for the nurse's efforts, making it the most meaningful form of recognition.
Summary:
- Choice B: A plaque from the ICU physicians could be seen as a formal recognition but lacks the personal touch and direct impact of the nurse's care on the patient and family.
- Choice C: A letter of commendation from the hospital's administration is a professional acknowledgment but may not capture the emotional connection and impact that the nurse had on the family.
- Choice D: A bouquet of flowers from her supervisor is a nice gesture but does not necessarily reflect the specific impact of the nurse's care on the patient and family.
The nurse is assessing the exhaled tidal volume (EV ) in a mechanically ventilated patient. T What is the rationale for this assessment?
- A. Assess for tension pneumothorax.
- B. Assess the level of positive end-expiratory pressure.
- C. Compare the tidal volume delivered with the tidal volu me prescribed.
- D. Determine the patient’s work of breathing.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Determine the patient’s work of breathing. Assessing the exhaled tidal volume (EV) in a mechanically ventilated patient helps determine how much effort the patient is exerting to breathe. By monitoring the EV, the nurse can evaluate the patient's respiratory status and adjust ventilator settings if needed. It is crucial to ensure that the patient is not working too hard to breathe, as this can lead to respiratory distress.
Incorrect answers:
A: Assess for tension pneumothorax - Tension pneumothorax is typically assessed through other means such as physical examination and chest X-ray.
B: Assess the level of positive end-expiratory pressure - The level of positive end-expiratory pressure is usually set based on the patient's condition and not solely based on the exhaled tidal volume.
C: Compare the tidal volume delivered with the tidal volume prescribed - This comparison is important but does not directly relate to assessing the patient's work of breathing.
A patient is admitted to the ICU with injuries sustained from a fall from a third-story window. The patient is conscious, his breathing is labored, and he is bleeding heavily from the abdomen. He groans constantly and complains of severe pain, but his movements are minimal. His heart rate is elevated. Which of these is a sign that he is in the second phase of the stress response? Select all that apply.
- A. Bleeding heavily from his abdomen
- B. Labored, slow breathing
- C. Severe pain
- D. Elevated heart rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Severe pain. In the second phase of the stress response (resistance phase), the body is trying to cope with the stressor. Severe pain is a sign of the body's response to the injury, indicating the activation of the stress response. Labored breathing and elevated heart rate are more likely to be signs of the initial phase (alarm phase) of the stress response. Bleeding heavily from the abdomen is a medical emergency and does not specifically indicate the stress response phase.