NURS 3325 Holistic Care Older Adult Test #2

1. An older adult client who has worked on an assembly line since the client was 24 years old began taking aspirin for arthritis 6 months ago. The client presents to the nurse with hearing problems and ringing in the ears. Which problem should the nurse suspect? • Vertigo • Tinnitus • Impacted cerumen • Ototoxicity Rationale: the older has symptoms of ototoxicity. Aspirin is a known ototoxic drug. Tinnitus is the persistent sensation of ringing in the ears, which is on of this client’s symptoms. Vertigo is a sensation of motion, which is not a reported symptom of this client. Although common, impacted cerumen would not lead to ringing in the ears. 2. A nurse isteaching a group of hearing-impaired nursing home resident about hearing aids. Which point should the nurse emphasize? • The hearing aid is only used in the dining room or social area • It is not necessary to use the hearing aid for one-on-one conversations • While inserting the hearing aid, make sure the volume is of • If whistling occurs, the volume of the hearing aid may need to be increased Rationale: Insert the hearing aid with the volume off and the canal portion pointing into the ear. Use a hearing aid for one-on-one conversation. It is not effective in a dining room where there is background noise. If whistling occurs, the volume should be decreased. 3. An 85-year-old client who lives alone says to the nurse, “There is nothing I can do about my hearing. I am 85 years old, and I am not really interested in listening to television programs anymore.” Which would be the nurse’s best response? • “You are lucky you still live alone at 85, and I understand why you don’t care about the programs on television.” • “Did you know that there are closed-caption television setsthat would allow you to enjoy some shows?” • “I know a hearing aid dealer who ofers free testing. Have you thought about trying a hearing aid?” • “Have you talked with your health care provider about a hearing evaluation? This would determine the problems and possible solutions to it.” Rationale: The first step would be to determine what the problem is. Free testing is not comprehensive in its evaluative scope. Remarking that the client is lucky to be living alone at 85 years of age is nontherapeutic communication, and suggesting that the client use closed-caption television does not address the hearing issue.