A 70-year-old man is admitted to the hospital in a severe state of malnutrition. The nurse learns that he lost his wife 3 months ago and is living alone in a rural area. His family lives at a great distance and rarely visits him
He is not eating for several days at a time and is not paying his bills. He is now without electricity and phone service at his home. When his son asks the nurse what is wrong with his father, what would be the nurse's best response?
A) He is grieving for his wife.
B) He has colon cancer and is dying.
C) He has a malabsorption disorder.
D) He feels alone and useless.
A
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What is the meaning of the "spending down" terminology used in relation to the elderly and Medicaid?
A. Benefits are given to prevent the elderly from spending all their money on insurance policies. B. Health care bills are paid by the elderly spending their own funds until they are eligible for Medicare at age 65. C. The elderly have to exhaust their assets before receiving benefits. D. The elderly shop and spend until they are so tired they have to sit down.
A patient has medication ordered to be given by IV bolus. The nurse recognizes which advantage of this type of administration?
a. There is a slower onset of medication effects. b. Medications are given over a longer time frame. c. Medications given by IV bolus are less irritating to the veins. d. Small volumes are used, so fluid overload can be avoided.
The nurse consults the Dietary Reference Index after completing an assessment on an older client. What should the nurse keep in mind when using this index?
a. Only medical providers are trained to use the index. b. It is easy to use and is individualized for clients based on medical problems. c. The values are intended as general guidelines for a population group rather than an individual. d. Age and gender are the two variables needed to individualize recommendations to an individual.
On assessment of the abdomen of a client 24 hours post–barium swallow, the nurse notes decreased bowel sounds. The client reports having had no bowel movement for 2 days. What conclusion can be drawn from these findings?
A. This is a normal finding following a barium swallow. B. These findings may indicate a barium impaction. C. The client requires an order for milk of magnesia. D. The client's diet may need advancement to stimulate peristalsis.