The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old man who has had an outpatient cholecystectomy. The nurse is getting him up for his first walk postoperatively
To decrease the potential for orthostatic hypotension and consequent falls, what should the nurse have the patient do?
A) Sit in a chair for 10 minutes prior to ambulating.
B) Drink plenty of fluids to increase circulating blood volume.
C) Stand upright for 2 to 3 minutes prior to ambulating.
D) Perform range-of-motion exercises for each joint.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Older adults are at an increased risk for orthostatic hypotension secondary to age-related changes in vascular tone. The patient should sit up and then stand for 2 to 3 minutes before ambulating to alleviate orthostatic hypotension. The nurse should assess the patient's ability to mobilize safely, but full assessment of range of motion in all joints is not normally necessary. Sitting in a chair and increasing fluid intake are insufficient to prevent orthostatic hypotension and consequent falls.
You might also like to view...
How have the practice settings for nurses changed since 1980?
1. There has been little or no change in these settings. 2. The settings have shifted from the community to the hospital. 3. There has been a shift from the hospital to long-term care settings. 4. They have shifted from acute-care to community or primary care settings.
The nurse learns that a patient who is being treated for peptic ulcer disease is "still having problems." What should the nurse instruct this patient to do?
1. try smoking cessation techniques 2. eat a bland diet 3. avoid eating breakfast 4. have the largest meal of the day at lunchtime
A woman is hospitalized with severe preeclampsia. The nurse is meal-planning with the client and encourages a diet that is high in what?
1. Sodium 2. Carbohydrates 3. Protein 4. Fruits
What is the nurse's priority focused assessment for side effects in a child taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
a. Dystonia, akinesia, and extrapyramidal symptoms b. Bradycardia and hypotensive episodes c. Sleep disturbances and weight loss d. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome