The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old client who presented to the emergency department in a coma. Which question does the nurse ask the client's family to help determine whether the coma is related to a brain attack?

a. "How many hours does your mother usually sleep at night?"
b. "Did your mother complain recently of weakness in her lower extremities?"
c. "Is any history of seizures known among your mother's immediate family?"
d. "Does your mother drink any alcohol or take any medications?"


D
Conditions such as drug or alcohol intoxication, as well as hypoxemia and metabolic distur-bances, can cause profound changes in level of consciousness (LOC) when accompanied by a brain attack. Alcohol abuse and medication toxicity can be especially problematic in older adults. The other manifestations are related to a stroke but would not increase the client's risk of coma.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

A client is concerned because he was unable to achieve an erection during his last sexual encounter with his wife. He tells the nurse that he has worried about becoming impotent, since he had a sexually transmitted infection as a young adult

What is the nurse's best response to this client's concerns? A) Erectile dysfunction is the correct term for the inability to achieve or sustain an erection. B) An occasional incident like this is normal and common, and there is no reason to be concerned. C) Sexually transmitted infections can result in sexual problems in adults. D) The medical diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is not made until the man has erection difficulties in 25% or more of his interactions.

Nursing

The nurse is preparing an 80-year-old patient for discharge home from the hospital. The patient will receive several new medications. The patient lives alone but has several family members who stop by every day

Which suggestions will the nurse make for this family? (Select all that apply.) a. Ask the pharmacy for non-childproof medication bottles. b. Ask the patient to record all medications and the times they are taken. c. Place the pills in an organizer container. d. Provide the patient with the drug manufacturer information sheets. e. Put water bottles near pills for convenience.

Nursing

When providing care in the person's home, full visual privacy is needed

Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Nursing

A patient is being treated with interferon beta-1a (Avonex) for relapsing-remitting MS. The patient calls the clinic to report headache, fever, chills, and muscle aches after administering a dose. What will the nurse recommend?

a. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen b. Asking the provider to order a complete blood count (CBC) c. Coming to the clinic for evaluation for leukoencephalopathy d. Discontinuing the drug immediately

Nursing