What Should the Nurse Do?
A 65-year-old patient who weighs 400 lb (181 kg) is admitted to the unit for high blood pressure. They have recently broken a hip, which has healed, but they remain unsteady. Despite their weight, the patient has always been active. However, now the patient fears falling because of their unsteady balance and has become much more sedentary.
1
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The charge nurse has asked you to prepare the patient’s room. Describe the types of equipment this patient might need in their room.
2
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Which sets of muscle groups might be causing the patient’s unsteadiness, and why?
3
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What are some health risks this patient now faces related to being more sedentary?
4
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Which types of exercises might you encourage the patient to perform to assist them in managing the unsteadiness in their leg?
5
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Nurse Henderson is working with a patient, Ms. Rosa, who is experiencing some severe mental health concerns, such as depression and stress, which she states are barriers to her ability to perform physical activity. However she realizes that she needs to be active. What should the nurse do?
6
.
Nurse Roman is performing an assessment on Mr. Green, an outpatient, who has come to the clinic for a follow-up after an emergency room visit. The patient’s adult child is with them, and Mr. Green has agreed to have the child in the room during the assessment. The patient states that they were driving their car, became confused and lost, and had a wreck. His child is with him because he is now afraid to drive. What should the nurse do?
7
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Nurse Jorge is assessing Ms. Scrim, a patient who has come in for her annual physical. Ms. Scrim is very anxious and begins crying when Nurse Jorge asks questions related to functional assessment. Ms. Scrim states that she is struggling to do things she has always been able to do, such as remembering important dates and shopping. She states she is terrified that she is developing Alzheimer disease like her father-in-law. These issues have only been going on for a brief time. What should the nurse do?