Author Question: The nurse plans to complete a thorough assessment of an older patient. Which method should the nurse ... (Read 79 times)

DelorasTo · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse plans to complete a thorough assessment of an older patient. Which method should the nurse use to gather the most complete information?

a. Use a geriatric assessment instrument to evaluate the patient.
b. Ask the patient to write down medical problems and medications.
c. Interview both the patient and the primary caregiver for the patient.
d. Review the patient's medical record for a history of medical problems.

Question 2

An older patient who takes multiple medications for chronic cardiac and pulmonary diseases is alert and lives with a daughter who works during the day.

During a clinic visit, the patient verbalizes to the nurse that she has a strained relationship with her daughter and does not enjoy being alone all day. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse assign as the priority for this patient?
a. Risk for injury related to drug interactions
b. Social isolation related to weakness and fatigue
c. Compromised family coping related to the patient's many care needs
d. Caregiver role strain related to need to adjust family employment schedule

jojobee318 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The most complete information about the patient will be obtained through the use of an assessment instrument specific to the geriatric population, which includes information about both medical diagnoses and treatments and about functional health patterns and abilities. A review of the medical record, interviews with the patient and caregiver, and written information by the patient are all included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The patient's age and multiple medications indicate a risk for injury caused by interactions between the multiple drugs being taken and a decreased drug metabolism rate. Problems with social isolation, caregiver role strain, or compromised family coping are not physiologic priorities. Drug-drug interactions could cause the most harm to the patient and is therefore the priority.