An 84-year-old man who resides in a long-term care facility has ...

[Collmarie]

An 84-year-old man who resides in a long-term care facility has recently become incontinent of bowel, a situation that is without precedent. What is the nurse's priority for assessment?
 
  A) Review of the man's medication regimen
  B) Assessment for the presence of fecal impaction
  C) Assessment for changes to the man's cognitive status
  D) Examination of the man's stool for frank and occult blood

Question 2

The patient who undergoes total hip replacement may be prescribed prophylactic drugs such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin). The rationale for this is that it
 
  a. decreases the risk of thrombus formation.
  b. decreases the risk of hemorrhage.
  c. facilitates the wound-healing process.
  d. decreases the risk of systemic infection.

[31809pancho]

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
The priority for assessment of a client with bowel incontinence is assessment for the presence of an impaction. This would supersede the immediacy of reviewing his medications, assessing his cognition, and examining stool for blood.

Answer to Question 2

A
Treatment will include administration of anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin), which decreases the risk of deep vein thrombus.

[Collmarie]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[ktidd]

TYSM