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Gerontology Nursing Questions And Answers PDF
1. A local community has a small budget for community health programs aimed specifically toward its black population. Which type of community health program will the nurse recommend as the best use of the budget?
- A. depression screening
- B. meal planning
- C. blood pressure screening
- D. sleep disorder information
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The best use of the budget for the black population in the local community would be blood pressure screening. Hypertension is a prevalent health issue among black Americans, occurring at a higher rate than in the white population. Therefore, focusing on blood pressure screening would help in early detection and management of hypertension within this community. Depression screening and sleep disorder information are not the priority as there is not a higher incidence of these conditions in older black clients. Meal planning could be beneficial for clients with diabetes, but it may not be the most critical focus considering the higher prevalence of hypertension among the black population.
2. Nurse R works on the geriatric medicine unit of the university hospital and provides care for numerous older adult clients nearing the end of life, many of whom have no-code orders. Which of the following situations is incompatible with the legal requirements for a no-code order?
- A. A client who is mentally competent has declared his wish to have a no-code order despite the availability of treatment options for his condition.
- B. A client has expressed her desire to have a no-code order but her daughter is adamantly opposed to it.
- C. A client clearly tells the nurse her desire to have a no-code order, which the nurse documents at the bedside.
- D. A client has been in a coma and the family has decided to put in place a no-code order.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. No-code orders require a written and signed order by a physician. Therefore, a client expressing the desire for a no-code order to a nurse, without a documented physician's order, is incompatible with legal requirements. Choices A and B are not incompatible as competent clients can make their own decisions, regardless of treatment options or family opposition. Choice D is also not incompatible as family decisions can be made on behalf of incompetent clients.
3. Nurse M obtains a signature on an informed consent form from Mr. Y, who is later shown to have a fluctuating level of mental competency. In this case, what is Nurse M's most likely legal position?
- A. Freedom from liability because Mr. Y signed the form
- B. Possibly liable for a violation of Mr. Y's rights
- C. Liable unless a malpractice insurance policy is in effect
- D. Not liable because no family member had a durable power of attorney
Correct answer: B
Rationale: An informed consent may be considered invalid if the patient does not fully understand what he or she is signing. Patients with a fluctuating level of mental function are incapable of granting legally sound consent. Nurse M could be held liable for a violation of Mr. Y's rights as he did not have the capacity to provide informed consent. The presence of an insurance policy and the legal status of family members are irrelevant in this context and do not absolve Nurse M of potential liability.
4. How can the nurse best respond to this situation?
- A. The nurse should accept that the relationship plays a positive role for the man.
- B. The nurse should organize a family meeting that includes both the children and the man's partner in an effort to facilitate reconciliation.
- C. The nurse should document the children's concerns and investigate the truth of their claims.
- D. The nurse should ask the partner to demonstrate that she is not a negative influence on the resident.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should respect the father's perspective and accept that the relationship with his common-law partner may indeed be positive and beneficial for him. The nurse's role is to support the patient's autonomy and decisions, especially when there are no legal concerns or signs of abuse. Organizing a family meeting (Choice B) might be premature without first acknowledging the father's viewpoint. Documenting concerns and investigating (Choice C) may create unnecessary conflict and breach the father's trust. Asking the partner to prove herself (Choice D) could strain the relationship further and is not within the nurse's role unless there are clear signs of harm or abuse.
5. To minimize liability, what action should nurses take when accepting telephone orders from physicians?
- A. Ask the physician to follow up with a faxed, written order
- B. Clearly communicate the most likely diagnosis to the physician
- C. Have another staff member talk with the physician and audiotape the conversation
- D. Accept only written orders or those communicated orally, in person
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best action for nurses to take when accepting telephone orders from physicians to minimize liability is to ask the physician to follow up with a faxed, written order and ensure it is signed within 24 hours. This approach helps ensure clarity, accuracy, and documentation of the physician's orders, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or errors. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Communicating a diagnosis is outside the nurse's scope of practice and should be done by the physician. Involving another staff member to audiotape the conversation can introduce legal and practical issues. Accepting only written or orally communicated orders in person may not always be practical or feasible in urgent situations where telephone orders are necessary.
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