A family caregiver tells the home health nurse, "I feel like I can
never get away to do anything for myself." Which action by the
nurse would directly address this concern? Correct Answer A.
Assist the caregiver in finding respite services.
b. Assure the caregiver that the work is appreciated.
c. Encourage the caregiver to discuss feelings openly with the
nurse.
d. Tell the caregiver that family members provide excellent
patient care.
ANS: A
Respite services allow family caregivers to have time away from
their caregiving
responsibilities. The other actions may also be helpful, but the
caregiver's statement clearly
indicates the need for some time away.
A patient who has just relocated to a long Correct Answer term
care facility is exhibiting signs of stress related
to the move. Which action should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
-A. Remind the patient that making changes is usually stressful.
b. Discuss the reason for the move to the facility with the
patient.
c. Restrict family visits until the patient is accustomed to the
facility.
d. Have staff members write notes welcoming the patient to the
facility.
ANS: D
, Having staff members write notes will make the patient feel
more welcome and comfortable at
the long-term care facility. Discussing the reason for the move
and reminding the patient that
change is usually stressful will not decrease the patient's stress
about the move. Family
member visits will decrease the patient's sense of stress about
the relocation.
An alert older patient who takes multiple medications for
chronic cardiac and pulmonary
diseases lives with a daughter who works during the day. During
a clinic visit, the patient tells
the nurse that she has a strained relationship with her daughter
and does not enjoy being alone
all day. In planning care for this patient, which problem should
the nurse consider as the
priority? Correct Answer A. Risk for injury
b. Social isolation
c. Caregiver strain
d. Difficulty coping
ANS: A
The patient's age and multiple medications indicate a risk for
injury caused by interactions
between the multiple drugs being taken and a decreased drug
metabolism rate. Problems with
social isolation, caregiver strain, or difficulty coping are not
physiologic priorities. Drug-drug
interactions could cause the most harm to the patient and are
therefore the priority.