Author Question: A nurse explained that the elderly are twice as likely to die in a home fire as younger persons and ... (Read 112 times)

urbanoutfitters · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

A nurse explained that the elderly are twice as likely to die in a home fire as younger persons and therefore suggested some safety measures. Which of the following strategies would most likely have been suggested by the nurse?

a. Have smoke detectors installed in the house
b. Invite a family member to sleep in the house at night
c. Practice escaping quickly from the house in case of an emergency
d. Program your phone so the fire department can be reached by pushing only one button

Question 2

An elderly gentleman was shoveling his snow when you arrived for a home visit. You notice that when he comes inside he is very pale, is shivering, and seems a bit confused. His skin is very cold when you touch it.

Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take first?
a.
Apply warm moist towels to his head, neck, chest, and groin
b.
Give him hot coffee with sugar to drink
c.
Have him get in a tub of very hot water immediately
d.
Call 911

maaaaaaaaaa · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Community health nurses making home visits can assess their elderly client's home for fire risk and teach fire safety, including the importance of home smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Inviting family members to spend the night, practicing a quick escape, and programming one's phone for the fire department are irrelevant if a smoke detector is not installed to alert the elderly client that there is a fire in the home.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Initial management is to prevent further loss of heat. Rewarming of the core temperature at a safe, slow rate is important to avoid lethal side effects. The reason for rewarming the core first is to prevent vasodilation that would place the individual in ventricular fibrillation. Measures that can be taken are: (1) remove the individual from the cold area as soon as possible; (2) add more clothing, especially to the head (e.g., use a hat or scarf); (3) provide a warm sweetened drink (no coffee or tea); and (4) apply mild heat to the head, neck, chest, and groin areas using hot water bottles or warm moist towels. Medical help is imperative, and hospitalization may be needed depending on the stage of hypothermia.