Which nursing intervention would be most important initially when evaluating the physiological health status of an older adult being admitted to an assisted living center?

Question

a. Obtain a complete medication profile, including over-the-counter medications
b. Ask the patient, "How do you think your physical health has been overall?"
c. Observe the patient for indications of the degree of physical autonomy
d. Ask the patient's adult child, "Does your parent have any health problems?"

Answer 1

A
The intervention that provides complete information about the patient's medications is the most effective and timely intervention and therefore the appropriate initial intervention. The remaining options are all interventions that the nurse might employ later.