An older patient presents to the outpatient clinic with a chief ...

[maegan_martin]

An older patient presents to the outpatient clinic with a chief complaint of headache and insomnia. In gathering the history, the nurse notes which factors as contributing to this patient's chief complaint?
 
  a. The patient is responsible for caring for two school-age grandchildren.
  b. The patient's daughter works to support the family.
  c. The patient is being treated for hypertension and is overweight.
  d. The patient has recently lost her spouse and needed to move in with her daughter.

Question 2

The nurse recognizes that which patients are at highest risk for physiologic fatigue? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Parents of a newborn
  b. Adolesent with anorexia
  c. 25-year-old pregnant female
  d. Grandmother who takes mile walks
  e. Businessman who consumes six cups coffee/day

[pocatato]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The stress of losing a loved one and having to move are important contributing factors for stress-related symptoms in older people. Caring for children will increase the patient's sense of worth. Being overweight and being treated for hypertension are not the most likely causes of insomnia or headache. The patient's daughter may have added stress due to working, but this should not directly affect the patient.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C, E
Physiologic causes of fatigue include: protein calorie malnutrition, excessive physical activity, sleep deprivation, excessive caffeine or alcohol use, and pregnancy. Parents of a newborn are likely experiencing sleep deprivation. A patient with anorexia is likely not consuming adequate amounts of protein. Consumption of six cups of coffee/day is considered excessive. A mile walk is an appropriate exercise for an older adult and not considered excessive physical activity.