A nurse assesses an elderly patient. The nurse should complete ...

[rmenurse]

A nurse assesses an elderly patient. The nurse should complete the Geriatric Depression Scale if the patient answers which question affirmatively.
 
  a. Would you say your mood is often sad?
  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?

Question 2

A new nurse asks, My elderly patient has Lewy body disease. What should I do about assessing for pain? Select the best response from the nurse manager.
 
  a. Ask the patient's family if they think the patient is experiencing pain.
  b. Use a visual analog scale to help the patient determine the presence and severity of pain.
  c. There are special scales for assessing patients with dementia. Let's review how to use them.
  d. The perception of pain is diminished by this type of dementia. Focus your assessment on the patient's mental status.

[medine]

Answer to Question 1

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

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Lewy body disease is a form of dementia. There are special scales to assess the presence and severity of pain in patients with dementia. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale evaluates breathing, negative vocalizations, body language, and consolability. A patient with dementia would be unable to use a visual analog scale. The family may be able to help the nurse gain perspective about the pain, but this strategy alone is inadequate. The other distracters are myths.

[rmenurse]

Excellent

[gcook]

TYSM