Answer to Question 1
D
The health care provider assumes the intubated older adult lacks the cognitive skill to give con-sent for treatment. Before the search begins for the DPA and to help determine the patient's cog-nitive status, the nurse assesses the patient for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit. As the patient's advocate, the nurse implements this valid and reliable tool because the nurse wants to give the patient every opportunity to participate in the plan of care and make his own determinations.
If the patient has an advance directive, then the attorney-in-fact named in the power of attorney should be on that document. However, because the patient has the right to make his own decisions about care, his cognitive status should be established first. Before informed consent can be given, the patient's cognitive status must be determined. The patient is unable to perform an oral test while he is intubated.
Answer to Question 2
D
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A Incorrect. This is a reasonable exercise to recommend because balance tends to decrease with age; however, the cornerstone of the group's exercise must be endurance.
B Incorrect. This is a reasonable exercise to recommend because muscle bulk tends to decrease with age; however, the cornerstone of the group's exercise must be endurance.
C Incorrect. This is a reasonable exercise to recommend because joint flexibility tends to decrease with age; however, the cornerstone of the group's exercise must be endurance.
D Correct. The nurse should recommend endurance exercises for the group to im-prove cardiovascular and respiratory conditioning. Endurance training is suitable to prepare the residents to withstand the rigors of travel.