The daughter of an older adult calls the emergency department (ED)triage nurse and reports that her father hit his head "very hard" while getting into the car about 10 minutes ago.There is no bleeding.The daughter asks what she should watch for in her father.How should the nurse respond?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option D is the best choice as it provides the daughter with important information specific to older adults, that changes can be very subtle and may develop over several hours or even days. The nurse advises the daughter to bring her father to the ED if she has any concerns. This advice is in line with the principle of caution and safety in dealing with head injuries, especially among older adults who may have a higher risk for traumatic brain injury. Options A, B, and C are not specific to older adults and do not provide adequate guidance on what symptoms to watch out for or when to seek medical help.

The Daughter of an Older Adult Calls the Emergency Department