The nurse asks an older female adult, Which countries were your ...

[Marty]

The nurse asks an older female adult, Which countries were your favorite traveling des-tinations? Which strategy is the most important for the nurse to incorporate into commu-nicating with this elder?
 
  a. Maintain a sharp focus on her.
  b. Allocate more time for answering.
  c. Seek validation of understanding.
  d. Avoid judgment of the responses.

Question 2

The nurse has to teach a male patient, who is 85 years old, and his family about a new medication. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to enhance patient teaching?
 
  a. Display the medication close to the family while teaching.
  b. Tell the family members they will need to administer the medication.
  c. Speak slowly, use repetition, and paraphrase for the patient.
  d. Face the patient directly and speak clearly in a quiet place.

[nmyers]

Answer to Question 1

B

Feedback
A Incorrect. This is a reasonable strategy to use during communication but not the most important for this elder.
B Correct. Because the nurse asked the elder an open-ended question, this is the most important strategy for the nurse to employ: it can take elders more time to scan their lives and gather thoughts.
C Incorrect. Seeking validation demonstrates interest in what the elder says; how-ever, this is not the most important strategy.
D Incorrect. This is a reasonable strategy to employ in some situations, but because the nurse asked an open-ended question, the most important strategy is to allow more time for answering.

Answer to Question 2

D

Feedback
A Incorrect. The nurse avoids using elderspeak and thus holds the medication closest to the patient. The family can view the medication after the patient does.
B Incorrect. The patient should receive the teaching while the family observes. Speaking to the family conveys disrespect for the elder and, in this case, implies the elder is incompetent.
C Incorrect. These are aspects of elderspeak the nurse avoids in teaching an elder.
D Correct. The nurse demonstrates respect and concern for the patient by address-ing him directly; and the best way to communicate with an elder is to face him directly in a quiet place so ambient noise does not interfere with communication.

[Marty]

Gracias!

[bblaney]

TYSM