The nurse is assessing orientation in a 79-year-old patient. ...

[kfurse]

The nurse is assessing orientation in a 79-year-old patient. Which of these responses would lead the nurse to conclude that this patient is oriented?
 
  a. I know my name is John. I couldn't tell you where I am. I think it is 2010, though.
  b. I know my name is John, but to tell you the truth, I get kind of confused about the date.
  c. I know my name is John; I guess I'm at the hospital in Spokane. No, I don't know the date.
  d. I know my name is John. I am at the hospital in Spokane. I couldn't tell you what date it is, but I know that it is February of a new year2010.

Question 2

A patient drifts off to sleep when she is not being stimulated. The nurse can easily arouse her by calling her name, but the patient remains drowsy during the conversation. The best description of this patient's level of consciousness would be:
 
  a. Lethargic
  b. Obtunded
  c. Stuporous
  d. Semialert

[memslove]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Many aging persons experience social isolation, loss of structure without a job, a change in residence, or some short-term memory loss. These factors affect orientation, and the person may not provide the precise date or complete name of the agency. You may consider aging persons oriented if they generally know where they are and the present period. They should be considered oriented to time if the year and month are correctly stated. Orientation to place is accepted with the correct identification of the type of setting (e.g., hospital) and the name of the town.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Lethargic (or somnolent) is when the person is not fully alert, drifts off to sleep when not stimulated, and can be aroused when called by name in a normal voice but looks drowsy. He or she appropriately responds to questions or commands, but thinking seems slow and fuzzy. He or she is inattentive and loses the train of thought. Spontaneous movements are decreased. (See Table 5-3 for the definitions of the other terms.)

[kfurse]

Thank you

[memslove]

Happy to help you