A 46-year-old patient, unemployed and diagnosed with kidney disease, tells the nurse that he is having difficulty with his medical bills. What should the nurse do to help this patient?
1. Work with the pharmacist to determine which medications the patient can discontinue and still maintain an acceptable level of health.
2. Suggest the patient take prescribed medications every other day to make the prescription last longer.
3. Ask social services to discuss Medicare as a health care coverage option.
4. Assure the patient that the nurse will ask the health care provider if the patient can be quickly discharged to home.
3
Rationale 1: Encouraging the patient to discontinue medications is not an acceptable nursing practice.
Rationale 2: The nurse should not suggest that the patient skip doses. This practice would not constitute good care.
Rationale 3: The nurse should find out from social services whether the patient is eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare is the national health insurance program that covers people 65 years or older, some people under age 65 with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease.
Rationale 4: The patient should remain hospitalized as long as necessary to receive essential care.
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A nurse manager at a long-term care facility is engaged in efforts to change many staff members' inaccurate and negative views of older adults. Which of the following statements made by staff is most clearly indicative of ageism?
A) "Older people seem to have so many more chronic health problems than younger people.". B) "Older adults' motor skills get progressively slower as they age.". C) "It's normal to expect a gradual loss of memory and intelligence with age.". D) "A lot of the physical changes that accompany aging are inevitable.".
The client is taking a medication that inhibits aldosterone secretion and release. The nurse assesses for what potential complication?
a. Fluid retention b. Hyperkalemia c. Hyponatremia d. Hypervolemia
The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is eliminated through the kidneys. The nurse reviews the patient's chart and notes that the patient has increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The nurse will perform which action?
a. Administer the drug as ordered. b. Anticipate a shorter than usual half-life of the drug. c. Expect decreased drug effects when the drug is given. d. Notify the provider and discuss giving a lower dose.
A male client comes to the emergency department complaining of nocturia and nonspecific fullness in the lower pelvic region. What is the best assessment question for the nurse to ask the client?
1. "Are you constipated?" 2. "Are you sexually active?" 3. "How old are you?" 4. "Do you take daily showers?"