An 85-year-old retired man with arthritis has recently been ...

[Tirant22]

An 85-year-old retired man with arthritis has recently been prescribed a new medication by his health care provider for pain management.
 
  The health care provider identifies that the patient is currently taking 13 different medications on a daily basis. The health care provider is concerned about the patient's safety in the home. Which of the following is most important to assess? a. Marital status
  b. Potential for falls
  c. Skin breakdown
  d. Cultural beliefs

Question 2

A female 36-year-old bank executive was recently promoted to vice president. She and her husband have two school-age children. The patient is being seen at the clinic and reports severe abdominal pain with diarrhea.
 
  During the assessment, the patient explains to the health care worker that she and her family will be moving to another state because of her promotion. Her children are upset about leaving their friends. The health care worker recognizes that which of the following information is a priority for patient teaching? a. Providing growth and development information about the school-age child
  b. Recommending a gastroenterologist
  c. Offering to call a moving company
  d. Discussing how a high level of stress can cause illness

[JaynaD87]

Answer to Question 1

B
The physiological changes associated with aging (85 years old), effects of multiple medications (13 different medications), psychological factors, and acute or chronic disease (arthritis) increase the older adult's risk for falls and other types of accidents. Fear of falling is common among community-dwelling older adults, who both do and do not have a history of falling. As a result of their fear, many older adults avoid activities or change the way in which they walk and position themselves, making them more at risk for falling. It is important to learn what conditions increase a person's fear of falling so that steps can be taken to remove or change any hazards in the home. Marital status and cultural beliefs are not priority assessment issues for home safety. Skin breakdown could occur if the patient was immobile but this is not the priority home safety issue for this patient and there is no data in the question to indicate the patient is immobile.

Answer to Question 2

D
An adult experiencing a high level of stress is at a greater risk for accidents and certain stress-related illnesses such as headaches, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, and infections. Although it is important to give the patient information regarding normal stages of growth and development in school-age children; this is not the cause of the symptoms. Referral to a gastroenterologist would occur after stress management techniques have been tried; or symptoms become worse. Calling a moving company does not address the real problem of stress.

[Tirant22]

Great answer, keep it coming

[atrochim]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it