An older adult client tells the nurse about rarely going outdoors in the winter because of a lack of energy or desire. Based on this data, which does the nurse suspect the client is experiencing?
A) Seasonal affective disorder
B) Side effect of medication
C) Situational depression
D) Anxiety
Answer: A
A decreased exposure to sunlight will reduce the production of serotonin in the brain, and that can cause a type of depression termed seasonal affective disorder. Older individuals are prone to isolation during the winter, so this is a likely explanation for the client's feelings. The nurse does not have enough information to determine if the client is experiencing a side effect of medication or anxiety. Situational depression is a depressive episode that occurs after an identifiable life event.
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The nurse is participating in a community health fair and is teaching risk factors for breast cancer. Which statement is the nurse most likely to make?
A) "Menopause after age 55 increases the risk of breast cancer." B) "Overuse of alcohol does not increase the risk of breast cancer." C) "Menarche after age 15 increases the risk of breast cancer." D) "A first- or second-degree relative with breast cancer before age of 50 increases the risk of breast cancer."
When performing a physical examination of a client's skin, the nurse should:
1. Be aware of ethnic differences. 2. Examine the least-exposed areas first. 3. Inspect the skin while the client is standing up. 4. Examine only the areas of specific concern.
What further abnormality of the liver was likely found on examination?
A 77-year-old retired bus driver comes to your clinic for a physical examination at his wife's request. He has recently been losing weight and has felt very fatigued. He has had no chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or fever. His past medical history includes colon cancer, for which he had surgery, and arthritis. He has been married for over 40 years. He denies any tobacco or drug use and has not drunk alcohol in over 40 years. His parents both died of cancer in their 60s. On examination his vital signs are normal. His head, cardiac, and pulmonary examinations are unremarkable. On abdominal examination you hear normal bowel sounds, but when you palpate his liver it is abnormal. His rectal examination is positive for occult blood. A) Smooth, large, nontender liver B) Irregular, large liver C) Smooth, large, tender liver
What important intervention (s) can a nurse do for COPD patients?
a. Monitor levels of O2 and respiratory rate closely b. Auscultate heart sounds c. Monitor urine output d. None of the above