The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old with a history of chronic depression. The patient currently reports persistent left shoulder pain since having a fall a year ago. To best address the patient's pain, the nurse initially determines
a. if the patient is still at risk for falls.
b. the severity of the shoulder injury.
c. how effectively depression is being ma-naged.
d. the patient's ability to effectively cope with pain.
C
Persistent depression affects a person's ability to cope with the pain, so it must be treated. The nurse should also assess fall risk but that is secondary to determining why the pain has lasted so long and if the patient is able to cope.
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After teaching the client about taking his prescribed sulfonamide therapy, the nurse determines that the client needs additional teaching when he states which of the following?
A) "I should take the drug with a large glass of water each time." B) "I can take the drug at different times of the day each day." C) "I have to finish the full prescription for the medication." D) "I should call my doctor if my symptoms seem to get worse."
When palpating the carotid artery, which of the following is most important? (Select all that apply.)
a. Rotate the patient's head to the side being examined to relax the sternocleidomasto-id. b. Excessive carotid sinus massage can compromise blood flow to the brain. c. Excessive carotid sinus massage can cause slowing of the pulse. d. Palpate both sides simultaneously.
A patient who has a history of depression is prescribed propranolol (Inderal). Which precaution is most important for you to teach the patient?
a. "You should expect a decrease in depression symptoms while you are taking propranolol." b. "While taking propranolol you may notice that your depression gets worse." c. "Stop taking propranolol whenever you experience depression symptoms." d. "Propranolol may cause difficulty with your ability to perform sexually."
Which patient described below most needs an advocate?
a. A 68-year-old female patient who tells you that she always relies on her husband to decide what is best b. An 80-year-old patient who states, "Why do people talk over my head as if I was a child?" c. A 4-year-old patient whose mother visits each evening but goes home to care for her other two children each night d. A 36-year-old patient who states, "I really wish this surgery wasn't necessary. I want to look at my other choices, again."