The nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department (ED). Which is true about the presentation of client symptoms?
a. Older adults frequently have symptoms that are vague or less specific.
b. Young adults present with nonspecific symptoms for serious illnesses.
c. Diagnosing children's symptoms often keeps them in the ED longer.
d. Symptoms of confusion always represent neurologic disorders.
A
Older adults present with symptoms that often are different or less specific than those of younger adults. For example, increasing weakness, fatigue, and confusion may be the only admission concerns. These vague symptoms can be caused by serious illness, such as an acute myocardial infarction (MI), urinary tract infection, or pneumonia. Diagnosing older adults often keeps them in the ED for extended periods of time.
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