Author Question: The nurse is caring for an older adult patient. A family member of the patient seems to frequently ... (Read 152 times)

Pea0909berry · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient. A family member of the patient seems to frequently catch colds. Which response is best?

a. After the age of 60, the plasma volume decreases so there is less infection fighting ability.
b. Bone marrow activity decreases by about 50 with aging, which lowers the immune response to infection.
c. The older adult's blood is more prone to clotting, so infection-fighting cells don't get to the source of infection quickly.
d. His antibody response to vaccines is overactive.

Question 2

A patient was recently diagnosed as having Bell palsy. Which nursing intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the patient's care plan?

a. Administer pain medication as needed.
b. Administer artificial tears and aclyclovir.
c. Implement aspiration precautions.
d. Offer the patient a small fan to cool the face.

Swizqar · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
The older adult patient is more prone to infection due to the decrease in bone marrow activity, which in turn reduces the immune response. Plasma volume does decrease after age of 60, but the concern is decreased blood reserve volume in case of blood loss, not infection. The older adult's blood is more prone to clotting due to platelet aggregation and alterations in clotting activity; this increases the risk for problems related to thrombosis, not infection. Lastly, the older adult's antibody response to vaccines is decreased.

Answer to Question 2

B
Treatment consists of closing and patching the eye if it loses the blink reflex. Artificial tear eye-drops also are used to prevent dryness of the cornea. Corticosteroids are given if they can be started right after the beginning of symptoms. They are ineffective if delayed more than 7 days. Acyclovir may be prescribed as well, since herpes virus may be a causative organism. Bell palsy is usually a painless condition. Bell palsy does not pose a particular risk for aspirations. Cool air may trigger or exacerbate Bell palsy.