An older couple is considering moving into a retirement ...

[dejastew]

An older couple is considering moving into a retirement community. What reaction by the nurse is best?
 
  a. That's a good idea to consider at your age.
  b. Check on what levels of care they pro-vide.
  c. Do you have enough money to afford this?
  d. What does your family think of this idea?

Question 2

An incapacitated older adult with dementia is brought to the emergency department by a rescue squad after falling and breaking an arm
 
  When the patient's children arrive, they are adamantly against the patient having any medical care and insist that prayer will heal the broken arm. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
  a. Allow the family to pray with the patient then escort them to the waiting room.
  b. Call security to keep the family from in-terfering with medical care.
  c. Check facility policies and contact the hospital social worker.
  d. Call the police who can force the family to accept medical care.

[tranoy]

Answer to Question 1

B
Retirement communities have differing levels of care; some are only for independent seniors, whereas others offer an array of arrangements. This is the most important factor for the couple to consider, because they may face having to move to a chosen community as their needs change.

Answer to Question 2

C
This family may be Christian Scientists, who do not believe in medical care. Health crises are thought to be errors of the mind that can be altered by prayer. The nurse should check the facility policies for treating vulnerable adults and possibly notify social work, who can assist with en-suring adequate treatment occurs as allowed by policy. Allowing the family to pray with the pa-tient is a caring action, but this complex situation requires more intervention. Calling security or the police will antagonize the family even more and demonstrates an adversarial relationship.