During a home visit, the nurse learns that a patient has not been ...

[vicky]

During a home visit, the nurse learns that a patient has not been taking the prescribed medications. The patient reports having no insurance and tells the nurse that the drug is too expensive.
 
  After learning that there is no substitute medication, the nurse will perform which action next?
  a. Assist the patient to apply for a patient-assist program.
  b. Contact the pharmacy to request a reduction in the cost of the drug.
  c. Determine the patient's annual income.
  d. Give the patient the number of a charitable organization that may be able to help.

Question 2

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an 80-year-old patient who has frequent hospital admissions. The patient appears more disoriented and confused than usual. Which action by the nurse is correct?
 
  a. Asking about medication doses
  b. Asking for a neurologist consult
  c. Requesting orders for liver function tests
  d. Suspecting impaired renal function

[yuyiding]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Patient-assist programs may be helpful, but many are dependent on the patient's income so the nurse should determine that first. It is unlikely that the pharmacy would offer a cost reduction. The patient has demonstrated an inability to navigate the system by simply not taking the medication, so only providing a phone number to the patient is not likely to be effective.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
An initial sign of drug toxicity in elderly patients may be confusion or changes in behavior. The nurse should ask about drug doses and notify the provider of the behaviors. The provider may order further evaluation based on examination of the patient.

[vicky]

Excellent

[Jossy]

Great answer, keep it coming