A nurse is providing an in-service educational program for beginning nurses regarding mental health assessment needs of the older adult. One of the topics addressed is the importance of interviewing family members in addition to the older adult client. The nurse tells the audience that family members are sometimes able to give a more accurate history if the client has memory impairment. The nurse also emphasizes that interviewing family members provides which of the following?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Evaluation of the family's ability to effectively care for the older client. Rationale: 1. Evaluating the family's ability to care for the older client is crucial as it helps in assessing the overall support system available to the client. 2. Family members' involvement can provide insights into the client's daily care needs, potential challenges, and resources available for caregiving. 3. Understanding the family dynamics and capabilities helps the nurse in developing a comprehensive care plan that considers both the client's needs and the family's capacity to provide care. 4. This choice directly relates to the importance of involving family members in mental health assessment of older adults, highlighting the significance of assessing the caregiving abilities within the family unit. Summary: - A: While interviewing family members may provide information about social support resources, this is not the primary focus when evaluating the family's caregiving abilities. - C: Determining the extent of memory impairment is important but not the primary purpose of involving family

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: WBC 3,000/mm3. A low white blood cell count (WBC) can indicate bone marrow suppression from chemotherapy, leading to increased risk of infection. Reporting this value is crucial for timely intervention. B: Hemoglobin 14 g/dl is within the normal range and not typically a concern in this scenario. C: Platelet count of 250,000/mm3 is within the normal range and does not pose an immediate threat to the client. D: aPTT of 30 seconds is within the normal range and is not directly related to the client's current condition of breast cancer and chemotherapy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because effective nurse-patient communication is guided by principles of empathy, respect, and genuine concern. Patients value feeling understood and supported, which can foster trust and rapport. This approach helps alleviate the nurse's fear of saying the wrong thing by emphasizing the importance of good intentions and empathy. Choice B is incorrect because it assumes the patient is solely focused on talking and not listening, which can undermine effective communication. Choice C is incorrect because a patient's history does not guarantee immunity to harm from insensitive comments. Choice D is incorrect as it incorrectly generalizes about individuals with mental illness and forgiveness tolerance.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because providing easily accessible finger foods throughout the day increases input, ensuring the patient with dementia receives adequate nutrition. This approach helps maintain their energy levels and prevents malnutrition. Choice B is incorrect because anorexia is not necessarily the reason for providing finger foods. Choice C is incorrect as finger foods may not necessarily assist in monitoring food intake. Choice D is incorrect as the primary rationale for providing finger foods is to increase input, not specifically to prevent constipation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Impaired psychotropic medication therapy. Nicotine can interfere with the metabolism of certain psychotropic medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness. Smoking two packs of cigarettes a day can lead to increased levels of enzymes in the liver, which can accelerate the breakdown of medications, making them less potent. Lung cancer (A) and increased incidence of lung-related disorders (D) are potential risks of smoking but are not unique to this patient's situation. Cardiovascular constriction (B) is a general risk of smoking and not directly related to the patient's schizophrenia diagnosis.