Mobility
14 December 2020
question
Mr. Matthew tells the nurse that he has never been hospitalized. He appears anxious and frequently turns to his wife for reassurance. What is the best response by the nurse?
answer
\”What concerns do you have about being hospitalized?\” (The response utilizes the principles of therapeutic communication: open-ended question allowing pt. to verbalize any concerns the might be contributing to his anxiety)
question
Mr. Matthew tells the nurse, \”My sweetheart and I have never been apart during our 55-year marriage.\” What action should the nurse implement to help reduce Mr. Matthew’s anxiety during the admission process?
answer
Explain the room environment to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew. (This action will reduce pt. anxiety by including the spouse and orienting them both to the room)
question
Mr. Matthew states the pain level in his right foot is 8 on a scale of 1-10. He says he has been favoring his foot by staying in bed the past week. In planning his care, which nursing diagnosis should take priority?
answer
Impaired physical mobility. (Pts. activities support this nursing diagnosis. Improving mobility is a nursing priority to prevent the many complications)
question
In developing a plan of care, the nurse consults with Mr. Matthew to identify a short-term goal. Which goal is correct for Mr. Matthew’s diagnosis for impaired mobility?
answer
The client will sit in the chair for each meal beginning on the day of admission. (Pt. is ALWAYS the subject of the goal and the action is ALWAYS measurable. The goal includes what pt. is to achieve and sets a realistic deadline)
question
Mr. Matthew is reluctant to move in the bed or move to the chair. He likes his wife to place a pillow under his knee. The nurse performs a physical assessment, which reveals diminished dorsalis pedis pulses bilaterally. Which instruction(s) should the nurse convey to help prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Mr. Matthew’s legs? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY
answer
Teach Mr. Matthew to dorsal flex and plantar flex his feet while in the bed and chair. (Stimulates circulation by contracting calf muscles & increasing the venous return of blood to the heart. It decreases pooling of blood in the legs which helps prevent venous thromboembolism in the legs) Explain enoxaparin (Lovenox) injections will be administered routinely. (Lovenox is an anticoagulant administered to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism)
question
How should the nurse document the completed client teaching?
answer
Dorsal and plantar flexion demonstrated to client and returned correctly. States he will perform 10 times an hour. (Represents a complete documentation-content taught & a stmnt of the pt. understanding post-teaching)
question
The healthcare provider has prescribed thigh-high antiembolic hose (TEDs) for Mr. Matthew. The nurse assesses the client’s legs every 8 hours.Which assessment finding(s) reflects signs of possible thrombophlebitis that should be reported to the healthcare provider?
answer
Positive Homan’s sign (dorsiflexion of the foot) Unilateral calf edema. (Edema or swelling of one calf is a possible sign of thrombophlebitis & s/b reported the h/c provider)
question
What instruction should the nurse give to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) for positioning Mr. Matthew’s legs?
answer
Use 2 pillows and place one lengthwise under each calf. (Provides slight elevation of the lwr legs for comfort but avoids pressure behind the knees which would adversely decrease venous return and decrease risk for venous thrombosis)
question
Mr. Matthew is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The nurse calculates his Body Mass Index (BMI) as 18.The nurse continues the nutritional assessment.Mrs. Matthew tells the nurse that she cooks every day, but Mr. Matthew does not even eat his favorite foods anymore, although he does drink a lot of diet colas. Which nursing diagnosis best applies to Mr. Matthew’s nutritional assessment?
answer
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements.(Diagnosis supported by evidence of BMI which is below 18.5 placing him in the underweight category and his lack of intake of nutrients)
question
Mr. Matthew indicates an interest in improving his nutrition. He says that he is worried because he has heard that bones weaken when people stay in bed. He asks which food will help his bones. The nurse explains that osteoporosis can develop from a sedentary lifestyle. The nurse instructs Mr. Matthew to increase his intake of which foods to prevent a decrease in bone density?
answer
Calcium-rich foods. (Calcium must be deposited in the bone to increase bone density)
question
The nurse is helping Mr. Matthew choose foods from a regular (unrestricted) diet menu for tomorrow’s breakfast. Mr. Matthew says he will try to eat more, even though he still doesn’t have much of an appetite. Which foods should the nurse encourage?
answer
Milk, oatmeal, and an orange. (Nutrient rich choices. Milk-primary source of calcium to prevent osteoporosis. Milk & Oatmeal-provide protein. Orange-vitamin C. Added benefits are vitamin A from the orange and fiber from the oatmeal and orange)
question
Mr. Matthew tells the nurse that he had a war injury resulting in right leg weakness. He states, \”It gives out on me sometimes.\” In spite of the weakness in his leg, the nurse encourages Mr. Matthew to transfer from the bed to the chair. How should the nurse teach the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to position the chair to ensure a safe transfer?
answer
Position the chair at a 45-degree angle to the bed on Mr. Matthew’s left side. (Chair s/b placed on a 45-degree angle on pts. strongest side-left side in this case, providing a safer transfer b/c it allows him to easily pivot from the bed into the chair)
question
The nurse is in the room when Mr. Matthew quickly gets up out of bed to go to the bathroom. With the nurse’s assistance, he walks about 5 feet from the bed, where he stops and states, \”I feel faint.\” He then starts to fall. What is the priority nursing action?
answer
Gently lower Mr. Matthew to the floor. (This is the PRIORITY nursing action to prevent injury to pt. and nurse. Lowering pt. to the floor s/b done when pt. cannot support own weight)
question
After sitting on the floor for a few minutes, Mr. Matthew is helped to a standing position by the nurse and the UAP. He is able to walk to the bathroom and back to bed without further problems. After Mr. Matthew is safely back in bed, he asks the nurse, \”What caused me to feel faint?\” How should the nurse respond to Mr. Matthews?
answer
\”You probably experienced postural hypotension. Let me explain.\” (Postural Hypotension can occur when pt. has been lying or sitting for a prolonged period and quickly arises to an erect position. Systolic BP must drop min of 20 points to be considered postural hypotension)
question
Mr. Matthew states that because he has smoked for 40 years, he always has a cough in the morning. The nurse performs a lung assessment and auscultates fine crackles bilaterally in the upper lobes. The nurse realizes Mr. Matthew is at risk for pneumonia. Which action should the nurse implement?
answer
Teach Mr. Matthew to take ten deep breaths an hour while awake. (Deep breathing can help prevent atelectasis, which can prevent pneumonia)
question
The nurse demonstrates the proper technique for deep-breathing. When Mr. Matthew returns the deep-breathing exercise demonstration, he raises his shoulders during inspiration. What is the best response by the nurse?
answer
Help the client perform the correct technique for deep-breathing exercises. (Pt. hasn’t demonstrated correct technique. Nurse s/ help pt. place his hands on his abdomen above belly button and instruct to breathe in and make his hands go up. Method is generally effective in teaching client deep breathing by using diaphragm to expand lungs)
question
As a part of the physical assessment of Mr. Matthew, the nurse utilizes the Braden Scale. The nurse explains to the UAP that the Braden Scale is used to measure which client parameter?
answer
Risk for pressure sores. (Braden Scale assesses many risk factors that may contribute to pressure sores. Assessed are nutrition, the ability to move, the degree of activity, moisture on the skin, sensory perception, and friction and shear. A lower score indicates higher risk for pressure sores)
question
The assessment scale results help the nurse to recognize Mr. Matthew is at risk for impaired skin integrity because of decreased nutrition and mobility. The nurse develops a plan of care with the UAP. Which nursing action should be included in the plan?
answer
Reposition Mr. Matthew in bed from supine to a 60-degree side-lying position every 2 hours. (Pt. s/b repositioned every 2hrs. 60-degree angle for lateral position provides comfort w/o placing excessive pressure on greater trochanter)
question
The healthcare provider prescribed an oral antibiotic for Mr. Matthew on admission to the hospital to treat the ulcer on his right foot. Before giving the initial dose, which action should the nurse take first?
answer
Ask Mr. Matthew if he is aware of any allergies to medications. (Action s/b taken FIRST since this is the INITIAL dose of a NEW medication-VERY important to verify any allergies. Pts. sometimes recall addtl. allergies after initial admission history has been taken)
question
During the course of antibiotic therapy, the amount of normal body flora is reduced in the gastrointestinal tract. Which client instruction is important to prevent the complications due to reduced body flora?
answer
Add buttermilk or active culture yogurt to the diet daily. (The friendly flora in buttermilk & active culture yogurt will help maintain or restore the normal intestinal flora, helping to reduce the incidence of diarrhea or fungal superinfection)
question
Because Mr. Matthew stayed in bed for a week prior to hospitalization and has had only limited ambulation while in the hospital, the nurse is concerned about muscle atrophy. What should the nurse implement to prevent muscle atrophy?
answer
Teach Mr. Matthew to perform exercises such as gluteal sets and quadriceps sets 5 times every 2 hours while awake. (These active isometric exercises strengthen the large muscles of the buttocks and thighs to help prevent muscle atrophy)
question
In planning morning care for Mr. Matthew, what action should the nurse take?
answer
Ask the UAP to assist Mr. Matthew in taking a complete bed bath. (UAP s/ ONLY assist by helping to bathe pts. back and feet – it is best if pt. can do the majority on his own as it will provide him w a sense of independence. The exercise will help prevent muscle atrophy)
question
Mr. Matthew is concerned that he may become constipated due to his lack of activity and poor diet. Which action should the nurse implement in response to Mr. Matthew’s concern?
answer
Offer to obtain a bedside commode for Mr. Matthew. (This allows pt. some independence as well as being in the correct sitting position to promote bowel action)
question
The nurse also develops a dietary teaching plan to reduce the risk of constipation. Which instruction should the nurse provide to Mr. Matthew concerning his diet?
answer
Increase the amount of vegetables, fresh fruits, and dried fruits. (These foods are rich in fiber and help promote bowel function)
question
The nurse notices a Bible in Mr. Matthew’s room. While talking with him, the nurse senses a feeling of serenity about him. How should the nurse speak to Mr. Matthews?
answer
\”I sense a spiritual strength about you.\” (Validates pts. spiritual being)
question
Mr. Matthew replies, \”My wife is my rock. She reads the Bible to me every morning.\” His eyes become teary. What should the nurse do to provide for Mr. Matthew’s spiritual needs?
answer
Place a sign on the door to allow Mr. Matthew some quiet time in the mornings. (Alerts staff of need to respect pts. quiet time)
question
Mr. Matthew says he has faith that God will be with him through this challenge to regain his health. What nursing diagnosis should be included in the plan of care?
answer
Readiness for enhanced spiritual well being. (Pt. indicates sense of faith, this is an opportunity for pts. spiritual growth)