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A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client. Nurses' Notes.
1200:.
Client is an 82-year-old male who presents with his adult child for evaluation of right arm pain after a fall. Client noted to have several superficial abrasions on right forearm and elbow. Also has numerous bruises in various stages of healing on arms and upper chest. Client rates pain in right lower forearm an 8 on a 0 to 10 pain scale and is not moving the arm.
1210:.
Client noted to keep head down and makes limited eye contact. Speaks very softly and looks at adult child before answering interview questions. Has strong body odor and clothes are unclean. Client's adult child answers most questions. Client grimacing and guarding right arm.
Client weighed, is 56.2 kg (124 lb) and 175 cm (69 in) tall. BMI 18.3.
1230:.
Client's adult child left facility to go home and get the client’s prescribed medications. Client visibly more relaxed and now speaking more openly to staff with improved eye contact. Client reports that he has lived with his adult child for the past several.
Vital Signs. 1200:.
Temperature 36.7° C (98° F). Heart rate 96/min.
Blood pressure 142/96 mm Hg. Respiratory rate 16/min.
SpO2 97% on room air.
The nurse is preparing to speak to the facility's Social Worker about the client's condition.
Select the 5 findings the nurse should plan to include in the report.
A. ECG results.
This is not a finding that suggests elder abuse or neglect. It is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help detect cardiac problems. It does not provide information about the client’s social or emotional well-being.
B. Client's report of lack of food in home.
This may indicate neglect by the adult child who is supposed to provide adequate nutrition for the client.
C. client's report of lack of access to bank accounts.
This may indicate financial abuse by the adult child who is controlling the client’s money without his permission.
D. Clients avoidance of eye contact.
This may indicate emotional abuse by the adult child who is intimidating or threatening the client.
E. Clients report of weight loss.
This may indicate neglect by the adult child who is not meeting the client’s basic needs or physical abuse by the adult child who is causing bodily harm to the client.
F. Numerous bruises in various stages of healing.
This may indicate physical abuse by the adult child who is hitting or injuring the client.
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Full Explanation
Answer is B, C, D, E, F. These are the findings that suggest possible elder abuse or neglect.
- B: Client’s report of lack of food in home. This may indicate neglect by the adult child who is supposed to provide adequate nutrition for the client.
- C: Client’s report of lack of access to bank accounts. This may indicate financial abuse by the adult child who is controlling the client’s money without his permission.
- D: Client’s avoidance of eye contact. This may indicate emotional abuse by the adult child who is intimidating or threatening the client.
- E: Client’s report of weight loss. This may indicate neglect by the adult child who is not meeting the client’s basic needs or physical abuse by the adult child who is causing bodily harm to the client.
- F: Numerous bruises in various stages of healing. This may indicate physical abuse by the adult child who is hitting or injuring the client.
A: ECG results. This is not a finding that suggests elder abuse or neglect. It is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help detect cardiac problems. It does not provide information about the client’s social or emotional well-being.
Normal ranges for vital signs:.
- Temperature: 36.1°C to 37.2°C (97°F to 99°F).
- Heart rate: 60 to 100 beats per minute.
- Blood pressure: less than 120/80 mm Hg.
- Respiratory rate: 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
- SpO2: 95% to 100% on room air. Table for BMI categories:
|
BMI |
Weight Status |
|
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
|
18.5 to 24.9 |
Normal |
|
25.0 to 29.9 |
Overweight |
|
30.0 and above |
Obese |
The client’s BMI is 18.3, which indicates he is underweight and may be malnourished or have a medical condition that causes weight loss.
Similar Questions
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client
Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.
The nurse should first address the client's
followed by the client'sFull Explanation
safety followed by the client’s pain.
The nurse should first address the client’s safety because it is the most basic and essential need according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The client may be at risk of abuse or neglect from his adult child, as evidenced by the bruises, body odor, unclean clothes, low BMI, and submissive behavior. The nurse should assess the client for signs of physical or emotional abuse and report any suspicions to the appropriate authorities. The nurse should also provide a safe and supportive environment for the client and encourage him to express his feelings and concerns.
The nurse should then address the client’s pain because it is a physiological need that affects the client’s comfort and well-being. The client rates his pain as 8 on a 0 to 10 scale and is not moving his right arm. The nurse should assess the client’s arm for signs of injury, such as swelling, deformity, or bleeding. The nurse should also administer analgesics as prescribed and monitor the client’s response to pain relief. The nurse should also provide non-pharmacological interventions, such as ice packs, elevation, or distraction.
The other choices are less urgent than safety and pain. The client’s abrasions are superficial and do not pose a significant risk of infection or bleeding. The client’s hygiene is important but not a priority at this time. The client’s BMI indicates that he is underweight, but this is a chronic condition that requires long-term nutritional intervention. The client’s heart rate is slightly elevated but not alarming, and may be due to pain, anxiety, or dehydration.
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. Client reports, "I'm bloated and my stomach hurts."
The nurse reviews the client's laboratory findings and vital signs.
Select the 5 findings that require immediate follow-up.
A. Heart rate.
The client’s heart rate is elevated at 118/min, which could indicate blood loss, dehydration, pain, anxiety, or infection. This finding requires immediate follow-up to assess the cause and intervene as needed.
B. Current medications.
The client is taking ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily PRN for arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastric irritation, ulceration, and bleeding. This finding requires immediate follow-up to evaluate the client’s pain level, medication use, and possible alternatives to NSAIDs.
C. Blood pressure.
The client’s blood pressure is low at 90/50 mm Hg, which could indicate hypovolemia, shock, or cardiac dysfunction. This finding requires immediate follow-up to monitor the client’s fluid status, perfusion, and organ function.
D. Stool results.
The client’s stool tested positive for occult blood and H. pylori bacteria. Occult blood indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be related to the client’s abdominal pain and weight loss. H. pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease, which can also cause bleeding and pain. This finding requires immediate follow-up to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment with antibiotics and acid-suppressing drugs.
E. Respiratory rate.
-
F. WBC count.
-
G. Temperature.
-
H. Hemoglobin and hematocrit.
The client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit are low at 9.1 g/dL and 27%, respectively. These values indicate anemia, which could be caused by chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiency, or bone marrow suppression. This finding requires immediate follow-up to determine the etiology and severity of the anemia and provide appropriate therapy such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, or erythropoietin.
Full Explanation
A, B, C, D, and H. Here is why:.
- A. Heart rate: The client’s heart rate is elevated at 118/min, which could indicate blood loss, dehydration, pain, anxiety, or infection. This finding requires immediate follow-up to assess the cause and intervene as needed.
- B. Current medications: The client is taking ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily PRN for arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastric irritation, ulceration, and bleeding. This finding requires immediate follow-up to evaluate the client’s pain level, medication use, and possible alternatives to NSAIDs.
- C. Blood pressure: The client’s blood pressure is low at 90/50 mm Hg, which could indicate hypovolemia, shock, or cardiac dysfunction. This finding requires immediate follow-up to monitor the client’s fluid status, perfusion, and organ function.
- D. Stool results: The client’s stool tested positive for occult blood and H. pylori bacteria. Occult blood indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be related to the client’s abdominal pain and weight loss. H. pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease, which can also cause bleeding and pain. This finding requires immediate follow-up to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment with antibiotics and acid-suppressing drugs.
- H. Hemoglobin and hematocrit: The client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit are low at 9.1 g/dL and 27%, respectively. These values indicate anemia, which could be caused by chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiency, or bone marrow suppression. This finding requires immediate follow-up to determine the etiology and severity of the anemia and provide appropriate therapy such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, or erythropoietin.
The other findings are not as urgent as the ones above:.
- E. Respiratory rate: The client’s respiratory rate is normal at 18/min. There is no evidence of respiratory distress or hypoxia.
- F. WBC count: The client’s WBC count is normal at 6,700/mm3. There is no indication of infection or inflammation.
- G. Temperature: The client’s temperature is slightly elevated at 37.5° C (99.5° F), but not enough to warrant immediate concern. It could be due to stress, dehydration, or a mild infection. The nurse should monitor the temperature trend and report any significant changes or signs of sepsis.
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has a closed head injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Prepare the client for an MRl of the brain.
An MRI of the brain is not the first action to take for a client who has a closed head injury. An MRI may be indicated later to evaluate the extent of brain damage, but it is not an emergency procedure.
B. Administer mannitol IV bolus to the client.
Mannitol IV bolus is a medication that reduces intracranial pressure (ICP) by drawing fluid out of the brain tissue. However, mannitol should not be administered before confirming the presence and degree of increased ICP, which can be done by measuring the GCS score and other vital signs.
C. Determine the client's Glasgow Coma Scale score.
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool to assess the level of consciousness and neurological status of a client who has a closed head injury. The GCS score can help guide the priority of interventions and the need for further diagnostic tests.
D. D insert an indwelling urinary catheter for the client.
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter for the client is not the first action to take for a client who has a closed head injury. A urinary catheter may be needed to monitor fluid balance and renal function, but it is not an urgent intervention.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Determine the client’s Glasgow Coma Scale score. This is because the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool to assess the level of consciousness and neurological status of a client who has a closed head injury. The GCS score can help guide the priority of interventions and the need for further diagnostic tests.
Choice A is wrong because an MRI of the brain is not the first action to take for a client who has a closed head injury. An MRI may be indicated later to evaluate the extent of brain damage, but it is not an emergency procedure.
Choice B is wrong because mannitol IV bolus is a medication that reduces intracranial pressure (ICP) by drawing fluid out of the brain tissue. However, mannitol should not be administered before confirming the presence and degree of increased ICP, which can be done by measuring the GCS score and other vital signs.
Choice D is wrong because inserting an indwelling urinary catheter for the client is not the first action to take for a client who has a closed head injury. A urinary catheter may be needed to monitor fluid balance and renal function, but it is not an urgent intervention.