Author Question: Mrs. L has experienced a progressive loss of mobility over the last several years as a consequence ... (Read 52 times)

strangeaffliction · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

Mrs. L has experienced a progressive loss of mobility over the last several years as a consequence of multiple sclerosis. Combined with a narrowing social circle,

Mrs. L has characterized her life as not worth living and expressed to her nurse a desire to end it all.. How should the nurse best respond to Mrs. L's statement?
A) Assure Mrs. L that such challenges are not uncommon in older adults.
B) Implement measures to ensure Mrs. L's safety.
C) Inform Mrs. L's family about her statements.
D) Add risk for depression to Mrs. L's nursing care plan.

Question 2

A patient with a history of Graves' disease is admitted to the unit with shortness of breath. The nurse notes the patient's vital signs: T 103 F, P 160, R 24, BP 160/80 . The nurse also notes distended neck veins.

The nurse suspects the patient has which medical emergency? a. Pulmonary embolism
b. Hypertensive crisis
c. Thyroid storm
d. Cushing crisis

k.lashomb · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
All threats of suicide should be taken seriously and safety measures established. Assurances are likely inappropriate and counterproductive, and modifying her care plan would be a less important action. Informing her family would be ethically questionable.

Answer to Question 2

C
In a thyroid crisis, all the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are exaggerated. Additionally, the patient may develop nausea, vomiting, severe tachycardia, severe hypertension, and occasionally hyperthermia up to 41 C (106 F). Extreme restlessness, cardiac dysrhythmia, and delirium may also occur. The patient may develop heart failure and may die.