the wife of an older adult man who has had diabetes mellitus for the past 10 years reports to the home health nurse that her husband fell yesterday wh

HESI RN

HESI Community Health

1. The wife of an older adult man who has had diabetes mellitus for the past 10 years reports to the home health nurse that her husband fell yesterday while taking his daily walk in the neighborhood. He has a bruised hand and a small abrasion on his left knee. The nurse assesses that his neurologic vital signs are stable. To reduce the risk for future falls, which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

A. current blood sugar level
B. degree of paresthesia in feet
C. wound healing of knee abrasion
D. A1c glycosylated hemoglobin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing for paresthesia (numbness or tingling) in the feet is crucial in this scenario as it can help determine if the client has a loss of sensation, which increases the risk of falls. Paresthesia is a common complication of diabetes that can lead to decreased sensation and proprioception in the feet, contributing to balance issues and an increased risk of falls. Monitoring for paresthesia allows the nurse to assess the extent of sensory impairment and implement appropriate interventions to prevent future falls. While monitoring blood sugar levels (choice A) and A1c levels (choice D) are important in managing diabetes, in this case, assessing paresthesia takes precedence due to its direct impact on fall risk. Similarly, while monitoring the wound healing of the knee abrasion (choice C) is important for overall wound care, it is not directly related to reducing the risk of future falls in this situation.

2. A client with a history of diabetes mellitus is admitted with hypoglycemia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

A. Blood glucose of 60 mg/dL.
B. Heart rate of 100 beats per minute.
C. Tremors.
D. Diaphoresis.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a client with a history of diabetes mellitus admitted with hypoglycemia, the finding that requires immediate intervention is tremors. Tremors can indicate severe hypoglycemia, which needs prompt attention to prevent complications such as seizures or loss of consciousness. While a blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL is low, the presence of tremors signifies a more urgent situation. A heart rate of 100 beats per minute and diaphoresis are common physiological responses to hypoglycemia and do not necessarily require immediate intervention unless other severe symptoms are present.

3. The nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client with dysphagia. Which action should the nurse take?

A. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
B. Have the client drink a full glass of water with the medication.
C. Administer the medication with a small amount of pudding.
D. Place the medication at the back of the client's tongue.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when administering oral medication to a client with dysphagia is to administer the medication with a small amount of pudding. This method helps prevent aspiration in clients with dysphagia by ensuring easier swallowing. Crushing the medication and mixing it with applesauce (Choice A) might alter the medication's efficacy. Having the client drink a full glass of water with the medication (Choice B) may not be suitable for a client with dysphagia as it can increase the risk of aspiration. Placing the medication at the back of the client's tongue (Choice D) can also lead to aspiration and is not recommended.

4. A male client leaves his job at a nearby restaurant and visits the health clinic where he is diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis. While receiving discharge instructions from the nurse, the client states that he is feeling much better and plans to return to work for the afternoon shift. How should the nurse respond?

A. advise the client to wear a face mask around other people
B. ask the client what type of work he does at the restaurant
C. instruct the client to use dark glasses if lighting is bright
D. explain that the client should stay home for the next few days

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: explain that the client should stay home for the next few days. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and the client should avoid close contact with others until it resolves. Returning to work while still contagious can lead to the spread of the infection to coworkers and customers. Choice A is incorrect because wearing a face mask may not provide sufficient protection against spreading the virus in a close work environment. Choice B is irrelevant to the situation as the focus should be on the client's health and preventing the spread of the infection. Choice C is also unrelated to the management of viral conjunctivitis and does not address the contagious nature of the condition.

5. What is the most important information for a nurse to obtain when an older female client expresses not deserving to eat due to lack of money?

A. Client's thoughts about wanting to hurt herself
B. Medication history for antipsychotic agents
C. Availability of family members to provide meals
D. Community resources to provide financial aid

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Client's thoughts about wanting to hurt herself. When a client expresses not deserving to eat due to lack of money, it raises concerns about her mental and emotional well-being. Assessing for suicidal ideation is crucial in this situation to ensure the client's immediate safety. Options B, C, and D are not the most critical information to obtain in this scenario. While medication history, family support, and community resources are important aspects of care, in this context, the client's mental health and risk of self-harm take precedence.