Seven tasks required for daily living with chronic illness have been identified. From Table 5-4, select at least one of these tasks that would specifically apply to the following common chronic conditions in older adults.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Diabetes mellitus. Daily tasks for living with chronic illness include managing medications, monitoring symptoms, following dietary restrictions, attending appointments, engaging in physical activity, managing emotions, and seeking support. For diabetes mellitus, these tasks are crucial for disease management. Monitoring blood sugar levels, adhering to medication schedules, following a specific diet, and staying physically active are essential components of diabetes care. Visual impairment (B) may not directly impact these daily tasks but would require adaptations in how they are carried out. Heart disease (C) may involve similar tasks, but the specific management strategies differ from those required for diabetes. Hearing impairment (D) can impact communication but is not directly related to the daily tasks involved in managing diabetes. In an educational context, understanding the specific tasks required for daily living with chronic illnesses is essential for healthcare professionals to provide effective care and support to older adults. By recognizing the unique needs of each chronic condition, nurses and other healthcare providers can tailor interventions to help patients manage their illnesses effectively and improve their quality of life.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In pharmacology and adult medical-surgical settings, a mental status assessment of older adults is crucial in determining their service and placement needs. This assessment helps healthcare providers understand the individual's cognitive functioning, emotional state, and ability to perform activities of daily living. By assessing mental status, healthcare professionals can tailor interventions and support services to meet the specific needs of older adults, such as cognitive stimulation programs or assistance with mobility and self-care. Option A, potential for independent living, is not directly related to a mental status assessment. While mental status can impact independence, this option is too broad and does not specifically address the purpose of the assessment. Option B, eligibility for federal health programs, is not the primary focus of a mental status assessment. Eligibility for health programs is typically determined based on income, age, and specific health conditions, rather than mental status alone. Option D, whether the person should be classified as frail, is not the main objective of a mental status assessment. Frailty is a complex clinical syndrome involving multiple factors, including physical, psychological, and social aspects, not solely mental status. Educationally, understanding the rationale behind the importance of mental status assessments in older adults is critical for healthcare providers to provide holistic and individualized care. By emphasizing the significance of this assessment, professionals can better support older adults in maintaining their quality of life and addressing their unique needs.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D) Considers disease as an imbalance of life force and basic metabolic condition. Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine system that views health as a balance between the body, mind, and spirit. It believes that disease arises from imbalances in an individual's unique constitution of doshas (life forces) and metabolic processes. Understanding disease in this holistic framework allows for personalized treatments to restore balance and promote healing. Option A) Manipulation of energy channels with fine needles describes acupuncture, a practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine, not Ayurveda. Option B) Uses the principle of 'like cures like' with small doses of prepared extracts is a principle of homeopathy, not Ayurveda. Option C) Use of finger and hand pressure at energy meridians to improve energy flow aligns with the practice of acupressure, another aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine, not Ayurveda. Educationally, understanding the basic tenets of various medical systems like Ayurveda broadens healthcare professionals' perspectives, allowing for more comprehensive and patient-centered care approaches. It also enhances cultural competence and fosters respect for diverse healing traditions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B) Ask the patient’s permission to use acupressure to ease his headache. Acupressure is a non-invasive technique that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to alleviate symptoms, such as headaches. In this scenario, the patient's headache is likely tension-induced due to the stress of family fussing over him. Acupressure can help relieve his headache without the need for medication, promoting a holistic approach to care. Option A is incorrect because administering a PRN analgesic should not be the first line of treatment for a headache that is likely stress-induced. Option C is incorrect as simply reassuring the patient that his headache will subside may not effectively address the underlying cause. Option D is incorrect as teaching biofeedback methods is a more long-term solution and may not provide immediate relief for the patient's current headache. Educationally, this scenario highlights the importance of considering non-pharmacological interventions for common complaints like headaches, especially when stress or emotional factors are involved. It underscores the nurse's role in assessing the situation, implementing appropriate interventions, and promoting patient-centered care by involving the patient in decision-making regarding their care.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context of pharmacology and adult medical-surgical care, the role of the professional nurse related to the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) is crucial. Option A, seeking further education on CAT, is the correct answer. Nurses need to continuously update their knowledge on CAT to provide safe and effective care to patients who may choose these therapies. Understanding the principles, benefits, risks, and interactions of CAT is essential for holistic patient care. Options B, evaluating the evidence regarding CAT, and C, collecting data on the use of CAT as part of the nursing assessment, are also relevant but not as directly tied to the nurse's role. Evaluating evidence helps nurses make informed decisions, and collecting data aids in holistic assessment, but seeking education actively involves the nurse in expanding their knowledge base on CAT. Option D, suggesting specific herbs for the patient's condition, is incorrect. Nurses should not recommend specific herbs without appropriate training and expertise in herbal medicine. Providing such advice without proper knowledge can be dangerous and is outside the scope of nursing practice. In conclusion, nurses play a vital role in understanding and supporting patients who choose CAT. Seeking further education ensures that nurses can provide evidence-based, holistic care while respecting patients' preferences for complementary therapies.