The nurse is contributing to a patient's plan of care for comfort needs. What age-related change would explain why an 84-year-old patient is chronically cold even with the thermostat set at 80°F (26.6°C)?
a. Decreased subcutaneous fat layer
b. Increased layer of subcutaneous fat
c. Decreased muscular retention of heat
d. Increased muscular retention of heat
ANS: A
An aging-related change in the integumentary system is decreased subcutaneous fat layer of skin, so older patients have less insulation to maintain temperature.
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The nurse knows that elderly patients are at higher risk for complications and adverse outcomes during the intraoperative period. What is the best rationale for this phenomenon?
A) The elderly patient has more boney prominences than a younger person. B) The elderly patient has reduced ability to adjust rapidly to emotional and physical stress. C) The elderly patient has impaired thermoregulatory mechanisms, which increase susceptibility to hyperthermia. D) The elderly patient has an impaired ability to decrease his or her metabolic rate.
A nurse is performing an assessment on a newborn. Which vital signs indicate a normal finding for this age group? Select all that apply
a. Pulse of 80–125 a minute b. B/P of systolic 65–95 and diastolic 30–60 c. Temperature of 36.5–37.3 Celsius (axillary) d. Temperature of 36.4–37 Celsius (axillary) e. Respirations of 30–60 a minute
A nurse is conducting a wellness seminar on healthy eating and prevention of iron deficiency anemia. The food the nurse would describe as being high in iron is
a. citrus fruits. b. grains. c. green leafy vegetables. d. milk products.
The home care nurse making a follow-up visit to a client 2 weeks postoperative from a total knee replacement finds the client has resumed many home care and self-care activities. Which activity cited by the client requires clarification?
A. Washing the dishes B. Running the vacuum cleaner C. Scrubbing the bathroom floor D. Doing the laundry in the basement