When making a distinction as to whether an elderly patient has confusion related to delirium or another problem, what information would be of particular value?
a. Evidence of spasticity or flaccidity
b. The patient's level of motor activity
c. Medications the patient has recently taken
d. Level of preoccupation with somatic symptoms
ANS: C
Delirium in the elderly produces symptoms of confusion. Medication interactions or adverse reactions are often a cause. The distracters do not give information important for delirium.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is performing a family assessment. Which factor will the nurse include in the social functioning portion of the assessment?
1. Legal problems 2. Marital patterns 3. Family strengths 4. Educational history
A patient has safely given birth to her first child, a healthy baby boy. The obstetrical nurse who provided labor support is aware that the infant possesses natural (innate) immunity that can protect him from many pathogens
Which of the following statements most accurately describes an aspect of natural immunity? A) The primary role of innate immunity is to facilitate the creation of the most common antibodies. B) Innate immunity is dependent on the ability of cells to differentiate between "self" and "non-self" cells. C) Innate immunity results from in utero exposure to antigens. D) Innate immunity is broadly divided into the categories of active and passive immunity.
The nurse has instructed the pregnant patient to self-assess movement of her fetus by doing "kick counts
" The nurse knows that the woman has had effective learning when she states "Two or three times a day I will be sure that my baby moves at least three times in an hour." Is this statement true or false? Indicate whether the statement is true or false
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder asks the nurse, "Why can't I take my lithium just once a day at bedtime? It's hard to remember to take it three times." The nurse's reply should be based on what information?
a. The half-life of lithium is short. b. Renal excretion is greater at night. c. GI absorption is diminished at night. d. The toxicity potential increases with once-a-day dosing.