Chapter 20: Patient Environment and Safety Study Guide

1. An older adult patient who is unable to get out of bed complains that the room is too cold because of the air-conditioning and asks the nurse to open the window. The nurse's best reply is: a. "Certainly, that will let in warm air from outside and should make you warmer." b. "The air conditioner is set to keep the most comfortable temperature in the room." c. "I'll adjust the thermostat in your room and get a blanket for you." d. "Agency policy prevents me from opening the window." - ANS: C Older inactive people need a warmer environment because of their poor thermoregulation. Rooms should be kept at a comfortable 68° to 74° F. Most health care facilities prohibit the opening of windows for safety reasons. 2. An appropriate environmental nursing intervention for a patient with respiratory congestion is to: a. maintain the room temperature slightly cooler to decrease congestion. b. moisten the respiratory passages with the use of an air humidifier. c. order a large floor fan to make it easier to breathe. d. open the windows to encourage air circulation. - ANS: B A very low humidity will dry respiratory passages. Vaporizers or humidifiers may be ordered for a patient with a respiratory condition. Small table fans may help some persons to breathe more easily. 3. The patient complains of an odor in his room that smells like something is rotting. The nurse makes an assessment of the room and: a. changes the linens, which are wrinkled and rumpled from 24-hour use. b. rinses out the emesis basin of used dry tissues. c. removes an old flower arrangement. d. heavily sprays room deodorant around the patient's bed. - ANS: C Odors in health care facilities are frequently unpleasant. The odor from a deteriorating flower arrangement is offensive. The arrangement should be discarded in a container