Author Question: The nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient's current medications. What does the best objective ... (Read 57 times)

charchew · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient's current medications. What does the best objective data include?

1. The patient's wife tells the nurse what medications the patient has been receiving.
2. The nurse checks the prescription bottles the patient has brought to the hospital.
3. The nurse asks the physician what medications the patient was currently taking.
4. The patient lists the medications that have been prescribed.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for an adolescent with depression and suicidal thoughts. The nursing diagnosis is Risk for Suicide related to depression. What is the best outcome for this adolescent?

1. The patient will discuss his feelings in group therapy today.
2. The patient will list five reasons why he should not harm himself today.
3. The patient will not commit any acts of self-harm today.
4. The patient will take the antidepressant medication as prescribed today.

ErinKing · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Objective data includes information gathered through assessment, and not necessarily what the patient says or perceives. The most reliable and objective assessment by the nurse is to check the patient's prescription medication bottles. A list of medications provided by the patient and the patient's wife is subjective, not objective data. Asking the physician what medication the patient was receiving is subjective data, and the physician may not remember all the medication the patient was receiving.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The patient not committing any acts of self-harm relates to the problem statement in the nursing diagnosis and is measurable. Listing five reasons why the patient should not harm himself will not prevent him from committing an act of self-harm. Taking antidepressant medication will not prevent the patient from committing an act of self-harm. Discussion of feelings will not prevent the patient from committing an act of self-harm.