Author Question: An older adult who is cognitively impaired is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Which sign or ... (Read 194 times)

karlynnae · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

An older adult who is cognitively impaired is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Which sign or symptom would the nurse expect to be exhibited by the patient?

a. Severe headache
b. Flank pain
c. Increased confusion
d. Decreased blood glucose

Question 2

An 82-year-old patient who is in the hospital awakens from sleep and is disoriented to where she is at the present time. The nurse reorients the patient to her surroundings and helps the patient return to sleep.

What data does the nurse consider as a probable cause of the patient's confusion?
a. Pain medication received earlier in the night
b. The death of the patient's spouse 2 years ago
c. The patient's history of diabetes
d. The age of the patient

kusterl · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Increased confusion is a symptom that occurs in cognitively impaired patients who experience an infection. Severe headache occurs with migraines, meningitis, and other conditions. Flank pain occurs with pyelonephritis. Blood glucose typically increases with an infection.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Medications such as narcotics, hypertensives, sleeping meds, and others can cause disorientation and symptoms of delirium. The death of a spouse is more likely to cause depression than disorientation. A history of diabetes alone does not cause disorientation. Normal aging alone does not cause disorientation, although it is a risk factor.