Author Question: A recently widowed older-adult patient is dehydrated and is admitted to the hospital for intravenous ... (Read 38 times)

D2AR0N · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A recently widowed older-adult patient is dehydrated and is admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluid replacement. During the evening shift, the patient becomes acutely confused.

Which possible reversible causes will the nurse consider when assessing this patient? (Select all that apply.)
a. Electrolyte imbalance
b. Sensory deprivation
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Drug effects
e. Dementia

Question 2

Which assessment finding of an older adult, who has a urinary tract infection, requires an immediate nursing intervention?

a. Confusion
b. Presbycusis
c. Temperature of 97.9 F
d. Death of a spouse 2 months ago

lauravaras · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, B, C, D
Delirium, or acute confusional state, is a potentially reversible cognitive impairment that is often due to a physiological event. Physiological causes include electrolyte imbalances, untreated pain, infection, cerebral anoxia, hypoglycemia, medication effects, tumors, subdural hematomas, and cerebrovascular infarction or hemorrhage. Sometimes it is also caused by environmental factors such as sensory deprivation or overstimulation, unfamiliar surroundings, or sleep deprivation or psychosocial factors such as emotional distress. Dementia is a gradual, progressive, and irreversible cerebral dysfunction.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Confusion is a common manifestation in older adults with urinary tract infection; however, the cause requires further assessment. There may be another reason for the confusion. Confusion is not a normal finding in the older adult, even though it is commonly seen with concurrent infections. Difficulty hearing, presbycusis, is an expected finding in an older adult. Older adults tend to have lower core temperatures. Coping with the death of a spouse is a psychosocial concern to be addressed after the acute physiological concern in this case.