The nurse is admitting a client who reports symptoms of dyspnea. The nurse notes edema of the upper arms, face, and neck. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
Degree of upper body vasculature observed.
Arm circumference and degree of edema.
Blood pressure and heart rate.
Peripheral sensation and movement of upper extremities.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Assessing the degree of upper body vasculature may provide some information, but it does not directly address the client's current symptoms or vital status.
B. Measuring arm circumference and evaluating the degree of edema are important for understanding the extent of swelling but do not assess the client’s hemodynamic stability or respiratory status.
C. Blood pressure and heart rate are critical assessments in this scenario, especially considering the client’s dyspnea and upper body edema. Changes in these vital signs can indicate potential respiratory distress, compromised cardiac function, or anaphylaxis, which requires immediate intervention.
D. While assessing peripheral sensation and movement is important for overall neurological function, it is not a priority in this context compared to assessing vital signs that can directly affect the client’s stability.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contributing to the medical diagnosis is a secondary goal for nursing care. The nurse's primary role is to ensure patient safety and prevent complications such as falls, which are more likely in patients with sensory and motor impairments.
B. While establishing a baseline for future comparison is important, it is not the most immediate concern. The nurse's priority is preventing falls and injury related to the impairment.
C. The priority in this case is to protect the client from falls or injury, as impaired motor and sensory function in the lower extremities increases the risk for accidents. Preventing injury will guide the development of the care plan, such as implementing fall precautions.
D. Anticipating other neurologic deficits is valuable but not the most urgent concern compared to protecting the client from the immediate risk of falls.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Reaction time is slower in older adults due to changes in the central nervous system and decreased neuronal processing speed, which can impact their overall response to stimuli.
B. Pain sensation is not typically heightened in older adults; rather, they may experience a decreased sensitivity to pain due to changes in the nervous system.
C. Higher basal body temperature is generally not associated with aging; older adults often have a lower baseline temperature.
D. While confusion can occur in older adults, it is not considered a normal age-related change and should be further evaluated for underlying causes rather than being expected.