The nurse assesses an older adult client’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). When observing the client ambulate, the nurse notes that the client’s posture is upright, and the gait is smooth and steady. Which action should the nurse take next?
Determine the client’s activity tolerance.
Teach the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls.
Initiate a fall risk protocol for the client.
Record the client’s ability to perform ADLs safely.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Determining the client’s activity tolerance is important but should follow the initial assessment of the client’s ability to perform ADLs safely.
Choice B rationale
Teaching the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls is not necessary if the client’s gait is smooth and steady. This intervention is more appropriate for clients with gait instability.
Choice C rationale
Initiating a fall risk protocol for the client is not necessary if the client’s gait is smooth and steady. This protocol is more appropriate for clients with a higher risk of falls.
Choice D rationale
Recording the client’s ability to perform ADLs safely is the next appropriate action. This documentation is essential for the care plan and ensures that the client’s current status is accurately reflected.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Wearing gloves to dispose of the needle and syringe is a good practice to prevent needlestick injuries and contamination. However, it is not the primary action that indicates an understanding of standard precautions. Standard precautions emphasize hand hygiene as the most critical step in preventing infection transmission.
Choice B rationale
Donning a face mask before administering the medication is not necessary for standard precautions in home settings. Face masks are typically used in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, but they are not required for routine medication administration at home.
Choice C rationale
Washing hands before handling the needle and syringe is a fundamental aspect of standard precautions. Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections and is a critical step in ensuring safe injection practices.
Choice D rationale
Removing the needle before discarding used syringes is not recommended. The entire needle and syringe should be disposed of in a sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries and contamination.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Having the client demonstrate prescribed wound care is the most effective method to evaluate the client’s understanding of self-care at home. This approach allows the nurse to directly observe the client’s ability to perform the necessary tasks and provide immediate feedback and clarification as needed. Demonstration ensures that the client can correctly follow the wound care instructions, which is crucial for proper healing and preventing complications.
Choice B rationale
Asking the client if they understand after each instruction may not be effective, especially if the client is not comfortable expressing confusion or misunderstanding. This method relies on the client’s verbal confirmation, which may not accurately reflect their ability to perform the wound care tasks correctly.
Choice C rationale
Having an interpreter repeat the wound care instructions can help bridge the language barrier, but it does not allow for direct observation of the client’s ability to perform the necessary tasks. While the interpreter can ensure that the client understands the instructions, it does not provide the nurse with a way to assess the client’s practical skills.
Choice D rationale
Providing written instructions in the client’s native language can be helpful, but it does not allow the nurse to directly evaluate the client’s understanding and ability to perform the wound care tasks. Written instructions alone may not be sufficient for clients who have limited literacy or who may have difficulty following written directions.