An older patient often responds incorrectly to questions or ...

[asd123]

An older patient often responds incorrectly to questions or during general conversation. The nurse realizes that this patient should be assessed for what health problem?
 
  1. hearing disorder
  2. history of strokes
  3. level of education
  4. cognitive impairment

Question 2

A patient who is a single parent of two young children has recently lost vision in one eye following a car accident. Which problems that are common to people with sudden blindness should the nurse address as being high priority with this patient?
 
  1. grieving
  2. change in family functioning
  3. possible change in self-esteem
  4. potential for injury
  5. fear of future trauma

[Andromeda18]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Inappropriate responses due to a hearing deficit can cause others to perceive the patient as stupid or demented. Level of education or cognitive impairment is unrelated to the issue of inappropriate responses.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
Although adaptation may be easier for the patient who experiences a gradual loss of vision than for someone with an abrupt loss, both must grieve the lost sense. The patient who becomes blind needs to grieve the lost body function as well as the loss of mobility, self-sufficiency, perhaps economic security, and, to a certain extent, contact with reality as it has been perceived. Interpersonal relationships and roles are affected. Communication patterns change with the loss of the ability to perceive many nonverbal cues. The patient's self-concept and self-esteem are threatened. Anger, denial, remorse, and self-pity are not uncommon in the initial period following loss of sight. The patient still has some sight. The potential for injury is not of a high priority at this time. There is no evidence that the patient will have a fear of future traumatic events.