Question 1

The 60-year-old Asian man tells the home health nurse that he has stopped taking his antihypertensive medication because it causes him to be impotent. He reports that he is using acupuncture to control his hypertension. What would be the most effective response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The most effective response by the nurse would be to check the patient's blood pressure to see how well acupuncture is working to control his hypertension. This will give the nurse an idea of whether the patient's decision to stop taking his medication is putting him at risk for uncontrolled hypertension. The nurse should also ask the patient about the qualifications of his acupuncturist and whether they are monitoring his blood pressure. The response in option A is true, but may not address the patient's concerns about medication side effects. The response in option B is also appropriate, but checking the patient's blood pressure would give more concrete information. The response in option D is necessary, but may not directly address the patient's concerns or provide immediate information about his hypertension control.

Question 2

What does the presence of a caregiver provide for the older adult living at home?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

What would be the most important suggestion for the nurse to give her 75-year-old patient in an attempt to prevent a potential drug interaction?

Accepted Answer

Keeping a list of all the drugs that the patient is currently taking can help prevent potential drug interactions. This will allow the nurse and other healthcare providers to easily review the patient's medications and identify any potential issues. While seeking medical care from only one physician and using only one pharmacy to fill prescriptions can also be helpful in preventing drug interactions, they are not as important as keeping an accurate list of medications. Reading up on all drugs that are prescribed can be overwhelming and difficult for many patients, and may not necessarily prevent all potential interactions.

Question 4

The caregiver who provides daily meals and attends to the daily needs of the older adult is classified as the _____ caregiver.

Accepted Answer

The term "primary caregiver" refers to the person who provides ongoing and regular care for an older adult, often on a daily basis. This can include tasks such as providing meals, assisting with personal care, managing medications, and coordinating medical appointments. The other answer choices (basic, organizing, designated) do not accurately describe the caregiver's role in providing daily care for the older adult.

Question 5

What is the best predictor that a patient with hypertension will adhere to a newly prescribed low-sodium diet?

Accepted Answer

The patient's previous ability to adhere to a health-related behavior change, such as successfully following a weight reduction program, is a strong predictor of future adherence to similar health-related behaviors, like adhering to a low-sodium diet for hypertension management.

Question 6

A 70-year-old male patient taking corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis asks the nurse if he should take the vaccination to prevent shingles. What would be the nurse's most helpful response?

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids can suppress the immune system, and live vaccines like the shingles vaccine are generally not recommended for individuals with impaired immune systems.

Question 7

When the 70-year-old female patient says, "Keeping up with when to take the flu vaccine is a big hassle. I'm not going to add trying to keep up with a pneumonia vaccine as well. It's too expensive." Which response by the nurse would be the most helpful?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When the 70-year-old female patient says, "Keeping...

Question 8

What would be the most effective action by the home health coordinator when interacting with an unpaid caregiver?

Accepted Answer

Being generous with positive feedback can help motivate and empower unpaid caregivers, and can also enhance their relationship with the home health coordinator. This can ultimately lead to better care outcomes for the patient. Option A can be seen as dismissive and unhelpful, while option B can be seen as neglectful. Option C may not be suitable for the home health coordinator's role, as providing critiques may come across as judgmental and interfere with the caregiver's autonomy.

Question 9

The home health nurse suggests to the 82-year-old man that he should wear a Medic Alert bracelet. Which of the following health conditions prompted the nurse to make this suggestion?

Accepted Answer

A pacemaker is a critical medical device that others need to be aware of in emergency situations, making a Medic Alert bracelet an important tool for communicating this information when the patient cannot.

Question 10

A 70-year-old male patient has been newly diagnosed with hypertension. What would be the most effective health practice to reduce sodium intake?

Accepted Answer

Reading food labels on food containers carefully is an effective practice for reducing sodium intake as it allows individuals to be aware of and manage the amount of sodium they consume from various food products.

Question 11

When doing exercises such as walking or swimming, how many minutes must the older adult perform the activity in order for it to be considered beneficial?

Accepted Answer

Older adults should aim to perform moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as walking or swimming, for at least 30 minutes per session.

Question 12

An older adult states that her physician ordered her to drink a glass of wine daily. The nurse understands that alcohol is occasionally recommended for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol can be recommended as an appetite stimulant, especially for older adults who may have a decreased appetite. However, it is important to note that excessive alcohol consumption can have negative health effects, especially for older adults.

Question 13

Which task could not be performed by an unlicensed home health aide?

Accepted Answer

In most states, unlicensed home health aides are not authorized to measure or dispense medication.

Question 14

The nurse is teaching a newly diagnosed patient with diabetes regarding the diabetic diet. Which of the following factors will have the biggest impact on compliance?

Accepted Answer

Motivation of the patient is the most crucial factor in compliance with the diabetic diet. The patient's motivation will determine their willingness to make the necessary lifestyle changes and take the steps needed to manage their condition effectively. Clarity of instructions and timing of instructions are important but are secondary factors that can be improved with good teaching techniques. The severity of the disease also plays a role in compliance, but it is not as significant as the patient's motivation.

Question 15

The 84-year-old male complains of dry mouth. What would be appropriate for the nurse to suggest?

Accepted Answer

Limiting alcohol intake is appropriate as alcohol can contribute to dry mouth.

Question 16

The home health nurse is discussing oral hygiene with the older adult. Which practice would be appropriate to add to the current maintenance plan?

Accepted Answer

Using a fluoride toothpaste is appropriate for maintaining oral health as it helps to prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel.

Question 17

The 65-year-old male farmer who is overweigh and has hypertension, tells the home health nurse that he eats two fried eggs, four pieces of bacon, and biscuits with gravy every morning for breakfast because he believes that a robust breakfast keeps him healthy. What would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should suggest a healthier alternative that is more aligned with the patient's dietary needs, considering his hypertension and weight issues, without being overly critical or dismissive of his current habits.

Question 18

The home health nurse observes that there is still about half a month's supply of Glucophage in the medicine bottle at the end of the month. What question would be the most appropriate for the nurse to ask?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should ask if the patient is trying to make the medication stretch for 2 months as this could indicate financial hardship or unintentional noncompliance. It is important to address these issues and modify the medication regimen as needed. The other answer choices are accusatory and may not take into account possible underlying reasons for the medication supply lasting longer than expected.

Question 19

An 80-year-old woman injured her foot on a piece of rusty wire. She tells the nurse she had a tetanus booster when she was 75. The nurse's response will be based on the knowledge that tetanus boosters

Accepted Answer

The answer of An 80-year-old woman injured her foot on...

Question 20

How often should a 75-year-old have a visual screening?

Accepted Answer

A 75-year-old should have a visual screening once a year to check for age-related vision changes and monitor any existing conditions like cataracts or glaucoma. This will help catch any vision problems early and prevent potential complications.

Quiz 4: Health Promotion, Health Maintenance, and Home Health Considerations