A 78-year-old nursing home resident with hypertension and cardiac ...

[jman1234]

A 78-year-old nursing home resident with hypertension and cardiac disease is usually alert and oriented. This morning, however, the resident says, My family visited during the night. They stood by the bed and talked to me.
 
  In reality, the patient's family lives 200 miles away. The nurse should first suspect that the resident:
 
  a. may have a cognitive impairment associated with medication effects.
  b. may be developing Alzheimers disease associated with advanced age.
  c. had a transient ischemic attack and developed sensory perceptual alterations.
  d. has a previously unidentified alcohol dependency and is beginning alcohol withdrawal delirium.

Question 2

A nurse asks the following questions while assessing an older adult. The nurse will add the Geriatric Depression Scale as part of the assessment if the patient answers yes to which question?
 
  a. Would you say your mood is often low?
  b. Are you having any trouble with your memory?
  c. Have you noticed an increase in your alcohol use?
  d. Do you often experience moderate-to-severe pain?

[srodz]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
A resident taking medications is at high risk for becoming confused because of medication side effects, drug interactions, and delayed excretion. The nurse should report the event and continue to assess for cognitive impairment. Symptoms of dementia develop slowly but persist over time. Alcohol dependency and withdrawal are not the nurse's first suspicion in this scenario.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Feeling low may be a symptom of depression. Low moods occurring with regularity should signal the need to assess further for other symptoms of depression. The other options do not focus on mood.