A nursing student expresses a belief that it is normal for older adults to experience forgetfulness and depression. With which of the following statements should the staff nurse respond?
1. "Impairments in memory and a depressed mood are pathologic changes that require professional intervention."
2. "Memory impairments are normal in older adults, but a depressed mood is not."
3. "You are right. Once you pass 50, your memory is in decline."
4. "Memory impairments are not normal, but a depressed mood is fairly common in older adults."
1
Rationale: Significant memory impairments and depressed mood are pathologic states that require professional intervention. Left untreated, clients may experience dire health consequences. Depression is often undertreated and unrecognized in older adults.
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The nurse has been caring for a week for the same client, whose condition does not seem to be improving. Which of the following actions would assist the nurse to plan further care based on evidence-based practice?
1. Asking the doctor for an opinion on changing nursing practice 2. Discussing the client's progress with the nursing student caring for the client 3. Researching nursing journals for nursing research on the nursing care of the client's condition 4. Reading nursing textbooks about the nursing care the client is receiving
An older patient with a black eye is diagnosed with a broken arm that is reported as being caused by falling on a shovel while clearing snow from a walkway. Why should the nurse suspect physical abuse with this patient?
1. The patient is confused. 2. The patient is 65 years old. 3. The patient is African American. 4. The patient's testing results are inconsistent with the history given.
The nurse is caring for a patient who needs education on his medication therapy for allergic rhinitis. The patient is to take cromolyn (Nasalcrom) daily
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Which protocol should guide the nurse responsible for administering pharmacologic interventions for a client who is withdrawing from alcohol? Medication should be administered:
1. Based on the presence of withdrawal symptoms 2. At prescribed intervals for at least one month 3. For the initial 24 hours of hospitalization only 4. Only to treat grand mal seizures accompanying withdrawal