Author Question: A nurse has provided discharge teaching for an older adult patient who had a pacemaker implanted. ... (Read 35 times)

pepyto · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

A nurse has provided discharge teaching for an older adult patient who had a pacemaker implanted. Which statement by the patient indicates appropriate understanding of the device?

a. The battery will need charging every 2 years or so.
b. I'm supposed to call my doctor if my pulse is within 10 beats of my preset rate.
c. My wife will have to be the one who makes the microwave popcorn.
d. I'll take my pulse each morning before my first cup of coffee.

Question 2

The nurse observes signs that a patient being assessed may have an underactive thyroid. The data supporting this suspicion includes

a. heat intolerance, low-grade fever, and patchy hair loss.
b. polycythemia, tachycardia, and oral can-didiasis.
c. muscle cramps, fatigue, and cold intoler-ance.
d. increased blood pressure, postural hypo-tension, and blurred vision.

ntsoane kedibone · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
The radial pulse should be taken at the same time daily and recorded. The patient should notify the provider if the pulse is lower than the preset lower limit on the pacemaker. Battery life is longer than 2 years. Microwaves are safe to use.

Answer to Question 2

C
Older patients are seen with complaints of fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, muscle cramps, paresthesias, and confusion, which are symptoms of hypothyroidism that are often attributed to old age. Heat intolerance is often associated with hyperthyroidism. The other options are not re-lated to thyroid dysfunction.