The home health nurse visits an older patient with mild forgetfulness. The nurse is most concerned if which information is obtained?
a. The patient tells the nurse that a close friend recently died.
b. The patient has lost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) during the last month.
c. The patient is cared for by a daughter during the day and stays with a son at night.
d. The patient's son uses a marked pillbox to set up the patient's medications weekly.
ANS: B
A 10-pound weight loss may be an indication of elder neglect or depression and requires further assessment by the nurse. The use of a marked pillbox and planning by the family for 24-hour care are appropriate for this patient. It is not unusual that an 86-year-old would have friends who have died.
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