Author Question: The nurse is caring for an elderly patient with dementia. Which laboratory finding indicates to the ... (Read 63 times)

CharlieWard · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for an elderly patient with dementia. Which laboratory finding indicates to the nurse that that patient is often forgetting to eat meals?

a. Serum bilirubin 0.4 mg/dL
b. PLT (platelet count) 425,000/mm3
c. Serum cholesterol 175 mg/dL
d. Albumin 1.4 g/dL

Question 2

The nurse manager is concerned about her staff who are working the night shift. What interventions can she suggest to assist nurses in overcoming shift related sleep disturbances? (Select all that apply.)

a. Power nap before leaving for the first night shift.
b. Get a minimum of 4 hours of sleep.
c. Wear dark glasses when driving home from work.
d. Seek exposure to bright light when waking.
e. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule when working and on nights off.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Albumin level is an indicator of the patient's protein intake and nutritional status. Normal albumin level is 3.3 to 5.5 g/dL. A very low albumin level of 1.4 g/dL indicates to the nurse that the patient has not been eating well and missing meals.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, C, D, E
Obtain a minimum of 6 hours of sleep. Maintain a regular sleep schedule when working and on nights off. Wear dark glasses that block blue light when driving home after night work. Seek exposure to bright light (sunlight is best) as soon as possible after waking. Before the first night shift, power-nap 30 to 90 minutes before leaving for work.