The nurse assessing a 90-year-old patient notes that his skin is thin and turgor is non-elastic. The patient states that he always seems to be cold. What does the nurse know about these assessment findings?
The patient's integumentary system is within normal limits for his age
The patient may have a metabolic condition causing him to feel cold
The patient has abnormal thinning of skin
The patient should have elastic turgor
The Correct Answer is B
A) The patient's integumentary system is within normal limits for his age: While thinning skin and decreased turgor can be common in older adults, the specific combination of findings, including the patient feeling cold, suggests that further investigation is warranted rather than assuming they are normal.
B) The patient may have a metabolic condition causing him to feel cold: Thin skin and non-elastic turgor can be indicative of aging, but the sensation of always feeling cold may point to an underlying metabolic condition, such as hypothyroidism or poor circulation, which can affect thermoregulation.
C) The patient has abnormal thinning of skin: While skin thinning is common in older adults, it is not necessarily "abnormal" in the context of aging. However, in conjunction with other symptoms like non-elastic turgor and cold sensitivity, it may warrant further evaluation.
D) The patient should have elastic turgor: In older adults, it is common to see decreased elasticity and turgor of the skin. Therefore, expecting the patient to have elastic turgor may not be appropriate, as it reflects the natural aging process rather than a healthy standard.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Dietary history from the patient: This information is subjective as it relies on the patient’s personal account of their eating habits, which may be influenced by memory or perception. It does not provide measurable data.
B) BMI (Body Mass Index): This is an objective measure calculated from a person’s height and weight. It provides quantifiable data that can be used to assess nutritional status and potential health risks associated with body weight.
C) Patient history of alcohol intake: This information is subjective as it is based on the patient’s self-report. It does not provide direct evidence and may vary depending on how the patient perceives their alcohol consumption.
D) Patient complaint of weight loss: This is also subjective data, as it relies on the patient’s perception of their weight change. It does not provide concrete measurements and can be influenced by various factors such as mood or misunderstanding of the situation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Safety issues with an unsupervised resident in the lounge area: While there could be safety concerns related to a resident being in a common area at night, the primary outcome expected from continued insomnia would more directly relate to the individual's functioning rather than immediate safety issues.
B) Onset of cardiac dysfunction: While chronic sleep disturbances can contribute to various health problems, including cardiovascular issues, the immediate outcome of insomnia is more likely to be seen in daily functioning rather than a direct onset of cardiac dysfunction.
C) Onset of new underdiagnosed health problems: While ongoing insomnia may exacerbate existing health issues or lead to new ones over time, the most immediate and observable outcome of insomnia would relate to how it affects daily functioning rather than the development of new health problems.
D) The ability to function during the day may be hindered by these episodes: Insomnia typically leads to increased fatigue, decreased alertness, and impaired cognitive function during the day. As a result, the resident's overall ability to engage in daily activities and interact socially may be significantly hindered by their lack of restorative sleep.