Author Question: A patient is being discharged after hip replacement surgery. The geriatric nurse recognizes that the ... (Read 58 times)

cookcarl · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

A patient is being discharged after hip replacement surgery. The geriatric nurse recognizes that the most effective intervention to minimize the potential of a fall injury is to

a. identify the most common causes of falls that the patient is likely to encounter.
b. discuss what kind of in-home assistance the patient will need.
c. impress the patient with the importance of being careful not to fall.
d. educate the patient that falling is not a normal part of aging.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for an older patient in the intensive care unit. The patient has a sudden onset of confusion. What action by the nurse is best?

a. Request a sedative from the provider.
b. Attempt to reorient the patient.
c. Perform a sepsis screening.
d. Review lab work for today.

amcvicar · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Educating the patient regarding the most common sources of potential falls is the cornerstone of fall prevention and management. The patient may or may not need home care assistance, telling the patient how important it is not to fall does not provide the patient with a plan to avoid falling, and educating the patient on normal age-related changes also does not give the patient any information on how to avoid falling.

Answer to Question 2

C
The most common presenting sign of sepsis in the older adult is confusion. The nurse assesses the patient for this condition. Sedatives and restraints are a last resort. The nurse should attempt to reorient the patient, but this is not the most important action. The nurse should also review lab work, but current assessments are more important.