An older adult patient has been prescribed an opioid to manage chronic pain resulting from a shoulder injury. To eliminate a common barrier to opioid drug compliance, the nurse
a. encourages the patient to use the opioid only as prescribed.
b. educates the patient about the appropriate management of constipation.
c. assures the patient that dizziness will de-crease as therapeutic levels are reached.
d. suggests the patient take the medication with meals or a snack.
B
Older adults have a high rate of discontinuation of opiates because of the resulting constipation. The treatment for constipation, especially that which is opioid induced, is readily available and should be provided as a preventive measure before starting narcotic pain medication. The other actions do not address this issue.
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A type 2 diabetic patient is learning to control his condition with diet and exercise. The patient was started on Januvia, a new incretin. The nurse expects the dose adjustment to be based on what lab values?
1. CBC 2. TSH 3. Creatinine clearance 4. BUN
One of the strongest pieces of evidence a researcher can identify when addressing and answering clinical questions is the use of:
A. individual case-control studies. B. case studies. C. expert opinion. D. randomized clinical trials.
A nurse is interested in improving client care in the unit and determines that the best way to do so is to:
1. Read nursing research journals. 2. Return to school for an advanced degree. 3. File a report when a mistake is made. 4. Monitor the use of unit supplies.
Which of the following aspects of older adult clients' cognitive and functional declines is suggestive of dementia syndrome of depression rather than dementia?
A) A client fixates on his physical disabilities, talking about them at great length. B) A client has experienced slow and subtle loss of cognition and function. C) A client's mood and behavior have become uncharacteristic but unpredictable in recent months. D) A client has developed coping strategies to conceal and accommodate cognitive losses.