An older client in a long-term care facility is receiving an annual physical and is ordered laboratory tests that include a complete blood count, serum electrolytes, and thyroid tests. When the client's son questions why these tests are being ordered by s
a. the healthcare provider ordering the tests needs to explain the rationale to the son
b. when conducted annually, all of the tests are helpful in promoting maximum health for older adults in the long-term care setting
c. the tests are useful, but only if clinically indicated
d. the complete blood count and serum electrolytes are useful screening tests, but the usefulness of the thyroid test should be questioned
ANS: B
Laboratory tests are a fast and accurate way of assessing key parts of an older person's phys-ical functioning. It is within the nurse's scope of practice to answer the son's question and it does not need to be referred to the healthcare provider. The laboratory tests are being used as annual screening, and therefore do not need to be clinically indicated. Excessive sleepiness is not normal in an 85-year-old and may be a sign of a thyroid disorder.
You might also like to view...
A prescriber writes a medication order for aspirin grains x po prn temperature > 101°F. The nurse converts from the apothecaries' system to the metric system, yielding the correct dose of: Standard Text:
What will be an ideal response?
When identifying dietary foods high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which of these foods should the client choose?
a. fowl c. olive oil b. nuts d. sunflower seeds
A client is in the emergency department experiencing an electrical burn. The nurse should examine the client for:
1. yellow skin. 2. blanched skin. 3. entrance and exit burns. 4. a green tinge at the site.
A client is diagnosed with a cystocele. The nurse actively listens as the client talks about which treatment choice to make
The treatment options available to the client are which of the following? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Kegel exercises 2. Vaginal pessaries 3. Surgical intervention 4. Estrogen 5. Fine-needle aspiration