In the assessment of older adult clients, it is often difficult to discriminate between delirium and dementia. A major difference that the nurse is alert to is that delirium is characterized by which one of the following?
a. Lasting months to years
b. Involving a normal state of alertness
c. Having a slow progression
d. Occurring at twilight or in darkness
D
Delirium is characterized by short, diurnal fluctuations in symptoms, and is worse at night, in darkness, and on awakening.
Delirium may last hours to less than one month, seldom longer. Dementia may last months to years.
Delirium is characterized by fluctuating alertness; the person experiencing it may be lethargic or hypervigilant. With dementia, symptoms are progressive yet relatively stable over time.
Delirium has an abrupt onset. Dementia has a slow progression.
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What are the best breakfast choices for the nurse to point out prior to a big exam, to provide high levels of alertness and increased memory? (Select all that apply.)
a. Pancakes and syrup b. Coffee and chocolate-covered donuts c. Bacon and fried eggs d. Whole grain cereal and yogurt e. Oatmeal and sliced apples
The nurse is caring for a patient prescribed ranolazine. The patient asks why this drug is different from the beta-blocker that he was previously taking. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "This drug does not slow your heart rate." B) "This drug increases myocardial oxygen demand." C) "This drug slows the QT intervals." D) "This maintains blood pressure with no hypotensive effects."
Which scenarios would the nurse identify as a quasi-intentional tort rather than an intentional tort?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. A visitor refuses to leave the patient's room after upsetting the patient and being asked to leave. 2. The physician accuses the nurse of incompetence in front of the patient's family. 3. The nurse tells the patient that if he does not starting drinking fluids, an intravenous line will be necessary. 4. The nurse physically restrains a patient so that intravenous access can be obtained. 5. The nursing student takes a cellphone picture of a patient's leg wound to show her classmates.
A client has hypokalemia. Which question by the nurse obtains the most information on a possible cause?
a. "Do you use sugar substitutes?" b. "Do you use diuretics or laxatives?" c. "Do you have any kidney disease?" d. "Have your bowel habits changed recent-ly?"