To teach effectively, nurses must recognize that:
a. age and socioeconomic status play a large role in understanding.
b. 90% of Americans possess rudimentary literary skills.
c. the ability to comprehend is a very new concept in health care.
d. most health care teaching is effective and understood.
ANS: B
To teach effectively, nurses must recognize that patients of all ages come from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Each has a different ability to comprehend health care information. Results of the NAAL research indicate that among American adults, 30 million (14%) had below basic health literacy in English and 47 million (22%) had basic health literacy. This means that 77 million (36%) American adults possessed very rudimentary literacy skills that allowed them to read only short, simple printed and written materials. Although discussion of Nightingale's work often focuses on her efforts to distinguish nursing as a profession and address the impact of sanitation on health, she advocated exploring all aspects of the patient. She thought that patients needed care that is "delicate and decent" and that demonstrates "the power of giving real interests to the patient." Exploring patients' interests and abilities was an early acknowledgment that nurses must be aware of patients' ability to comprehend the health care information provided. Often, health care professionals assume that the explanations and instructions given to patients and families are readily understood. In reality, research has shown that these instructions are frequently misunderstood, sometimes resulting in serious errors.
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A nurse is preparing a patient who will stop taking lorazepam [Ativan] for anxiety and begin taking buspirone [Buspar]. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I can drink alcohol when taking Buspar, but not grapefruit juice." b. "I may need to use a sedative medication if I experience insomnia." c. "I may not feel the effects of Buspar for a few weeks." d. "I should stop taking the Ativan when I start taking the Buspar."
It is important for the nurse to check the vital signs of clients before preanesthetic or anesthetic agents are given because:
a. vital signs may indicate health problems that might affect whether or not the procedure will be carried out. b. it is the protocol of the surgical department and nurses must follow these guidelines. c. vital signs provide a baseline against which vital signs can be checked during and after the procedure. d. vital signs can alert others to possible problems that could result from anesthetizing the client.
The nurse understands the implications of the Patient Self-Determination Act. This legislation requires that:
1. Clients designate a power of attorney 2. DNR orders for clients meet standard criteria 3. Organ donation is required upon death, if possible 4. Information be provided to the client regarding rights for refusal of care
A patient is very restless and agitated near the end of life, and the physician orders haloperidol (Haldol) PO. The patient coughs and chokes every time foods or fluids are offered. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
a. Crush the medication, and mix it with applesauce. b. Dissolve the medication in a small amount of water, and administer it with an oral syringe. c. Ask the physician for an order to administer the Haldol intramuscularly. d. Hold the medication until the patient is more alert and able to swallow.