A formerly independent and active older adult becomes severely withdrawn upon admission to a nursing home. When approaching this patient, which intervention should the nurse plan first?
a. Offer a reward for participation in all events.
b. Encourage the patient to attend all social events scheduled for the patients.
c. Allow the patient to incorporate personal belongings into her room.
d. Advise the patient of the importance of attending mandatory activities.
ANS: C
The older adult is in the mature thinking stages of development according to Piaget and Kohlberg. According to Gould, the older adult needs help in realistically appreciating his/her accomplishments and in fostering continued development. Erikson's theory proposes that the older adult faces integrity versus despair. To avoid despair, the nurse should allow the patient to actively participate in an independent activity, such as preparing his/her own room with personal belongings. Offering a reward does not address the need for continued independence. Encouraging participation in social events again does not address independence, and the question is asking for the best first intervention. Advising the patient to attend all mandatory activities as the first intervention does not allow for the patient's independence. Some activities may be mandatory, but by first allowing the patient to decorate her room, the nurse is fostering independence and is helping the patient feel welcome and more at home.
You might also like to view...
During a staff meeting held to discuss developing a mission statement for the unit, the idea of placing patient needs first is:
a. Empowering. b. A leadership tag. c. A symbol. d. A management task.
In a hospital's emergency operations plan, what would be the expected roles of the security department (select all that apply)?
a. Overseeing facility security b. Lockdown of the facility as necessary c. Managing people entering and leaving the hospital d. Restraining uncooperative visitors e. Being the primary source of communica-tion to nursing staff
The nurse explains that a large increase of urobilinogen in the client's urine is consistent with the diagnosis of
a. acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). b. cancer of the kidney or bladder. c. gastroenteritis. d. hepatitis or other liver disease.
Which laboratory result in a client with cancer who has gained 2 pounds in 1 day suggests the possibility of SIADH?
A. Serum potassium of 5.2 mmol/L B. Serum sodium of 120 mmol/L C. Hematocrit of 40% D. BUN of 10 mg/dL