The nurse is concerned that a patient has a short time left to live. Which criterion is the nurse using that indicates a prognosis of 6 months or less to live? (Select all that apply.)
a. Incontinence
b. Functional decline
c. Increased agitation
d. Recurrent infections
e. Frequent hospitalizations
f. Weight loss of 10% or more
ANS: B, D, E, F
Some indicators of a prognosis of 6 months or less regardless of diagnosis are functional decline, recurrent infections, frequent hospitalizations, and a 10% loss of weight in 6 months. A. C. Agitation and incontinence can occur for many reasons and do not necessarily predict death.
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A nurse assesses a client who is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which assessment should the nurse complete prior to this procedure?
a. Client's level of anxiety b. Ability to turn self in bed c. Cardiac rhythm and heart rate d. Allergies to iodine-based agents
A client is admitted with the following diagnosis:
Axis I: 300.01 Panic disorder without agoraphobia Axis II: 301.83 Borderline personality disorder Axis III: No diagnosis Axis IV: Unemployment What conclusions can the nurse make relative to the client's Axis III information? 1. This client has problems with environment, but they are not related to mental disorder. 2. The client's environment has not been evaluated. 3. The client's health status has not been evaluated. 4. The client has no diagnosed physiological health problems relevant to mental disorder at the time of admission.
Rather than focusing on rules and principles, nurses should center on _______ and _______ when caring for the elderly:
a. autonomy and beneficence b. well-being and suffering c. living wills and advance directives d. kindness and respect
A nurse reads about a case study involving the potential positive effects of the early stimulation of post–head-injury clients. Which of the following questions should be a priority consideration before use of the research results?
1. "What was the cost of the study?" 2. "Were ethical principles maintained?" 3. "Were the results of this study published in other journals?" 4. "Are the clients in the study similar to clients I work with?"