Nursing Elites

1. A gerontological nurse is providing care at a local community health center that serves large black American and white American older adult populations. The nurse is working to develop culturally appropriate programs to meet each group's health needs and notes differences in health status between the groups. Which reason would the nurse most likely identify as accounting for the differences between the populations?

• A. High incidence of violent crime and sexually transmitted diseases in the black population
• B. Reliance on family for health care advice and rejection of formal service agencies in the white population
• C. Cultural preference for unconventional medical treatments like herbal remedies in the white population
• D. Lower standard of living and less access to health care services in the black population

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Black older adults historically possess many health problems that have accumulated over a lifetime due to a poor standard of living and limited access to health care services. Option A is incorrect because it presents stereotypes about the black population that are not supported by evidence. Option B is incorrect because it generalizes the behavior of the white population without a strong basis. Option C is incorrect as it also generalizes the white population and does not address the disparities in health status between the two groups.

2. A 52-year-old woman is preparing to have her father move into her home after his discharge from the hospital. Which of the following subjects should the discharge planning nurse prioritize when preparing the woman for her new caregiving role?

• A. The availability and scope of community resources
• B. The importance of her own self-care and techniques for maximizing it
• C. Assertiveness training to ensure she can set limits
• D. Management of finances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. It is crucial for the discharge planning nurse to prioritize the importance of the woman's self-care and provide techniques for maximizing it. When taking on a caregiving role, the caregiver's well-being is essential to ensure effective care for the patient. While community resources (choice A) are important, the immediate focus should be on self-care. Assertiveness training (choice C) and financial management (choice D) are also significant but not as critical as self-care for the caregiver in this scenario.

3. Mrs. W, aged 82, resides with her son and daughter-in-law who are finding it challenging to provide adequate care while maintaining their careers and home life. During a homecare visit, Mrs. W tells the nurse that, 'My children's generation doesn't know how good they've got it; when I was younger we all had to take care of our parents, and for a lot longer than most people do now.' Which of the following statements most accurately underlies the response that the nurse will provide to Mrs. W?

• A. The increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses means that there are indeed fewer old-old adults than there were in earlier generations.
• B. The increasing acceptance of long-term care means that the caregiving burden of the son and daughter-in-law's generation is lighter than that of Mrs. W's generation.
• C. More older people are living longer and receiving care in the community than when Mrs. W was in her middle-adult years.
• D. The caregiving needs of the old-old are increasing but these needs are more commonly met in institutional settings rather than in the community.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because people are living longer and receiving more of their care in the community than in years past. This reflects the current trend where older individuals tend to receive care in community settings rather than institutional ones. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the reality that more older people today are living longer and being cared for in the community.

4. Which of the following actions can a nurse safely take without risk of liability?

• A. Questioning a doctor's written orders for medication
• B. Permitting a volunteer to move a patient
• C. Using a blood pressure cuff that is sometimes sticking
• D. Asking a family member to deliver routine medication to a patient's room

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Questioning a doctor's written orders for medication. Under the doctrine of respondent superior, nurses can face liability risks for various actions. Permitting volunteers to move patients, using malfunctioning equipment, or tasking unqualified staff can pose liability risks. Questioning medication orders is a responsibility to ensure patient safety. It is crucial for nurses to clarify any doubts or raise concerns about medication orders to prevent potential harm to patients.

5. 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.

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