An older adult is brought to the emergency department by a family member, who reports a moderate change in mental status and mild cough. The client is afebrile. The health care provider orders a chest x-ray
The family member questions why this is needed since the manifestations seem so vague. What response by the nurse is best?
a.
"Chest x-rays are always ordered when we suspect pneumonia."
b.
"Older people often have vague symptoms, so an x-ray is essential."
c.
"The x-ray can be done and read before laboratory work is reported."
d.
"We are testing for any possible source of infection in the client."
ANS: B
It is essential to obtain an early chest x-ray in older adults suspected of having pneumonia because symptoms are often vague. Waiting until definitive manifestations are present to obtain the x-ray leads to a costly delay in treatment. Stating that chest x-rays are always ordered does not give the family definitive information. The x-ray can be done while laboratory values are still pending, but this also does not provide specific information about the importance of a chest x-ray in this client. The client has manifestations of pneumonia, so the staff is not testing for any possible source of infection but rather is testing for a suspected disorder.
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