Chapter 13 Promoting Safety

Chapter 13  Promoting Safety

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which one of the following is a true statement about mobility and safety for older adults?
a.
Use of restraints on older patients helps prevent injuries from falls.
b.
Falls that do not cause physical injury are not significant.
c.
The get-up-and-go test provides a measure of a patient’s energy and initiative.
d.
Lowering the bed and fluorescent tapes are interventions to increase safety.

ANS: D
Adjusting the bed height to match the length of the resident’s lower leg and marking the path from the bed to the toilet with bright fluorescent tape are some of the many possible interventions to improve residents’ safety. Restraints have not been shown to increase safety and may contribute to morbidity and mortality. Even if a fall does not cause injury, it can contribute to the fear of falling, inhibiting activities of daily living. The Get-Up-and-Go test, in which the person rises from a straight-backed chair, walks 10 feet, returns, and sits down, assesses balance and gait.

PTS: 1 DIF: Understand REF: 200| 207-208| 213-214
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Safe, Effective Care Environment

2. The nurse can place an older adult into one of four patient rooms. Which is the most suitable room for an older adult?
a.
Brightly lit, blue room with cozy throw rugs
b.
Room with orange carpeting and soft lighting
c.
Brightly lit, blue room with waxed vinyl floors
d.
Room for television and children’s playtime

ANS: B
The soft lighting avoids glare, and the carpet provides better traction than a glossy floor. Lamps should be added to supply more light when desired. Throw rugs easily slip, and older adults can trip on them, resulting in injury. The patient’s feet should not be able to glide easily across the floor, and when the surface becomes wet, a waxed floor can be very slippery. The patient may stumble over children and toys.

PTS: 1 DIF: Apply REF: 206-207 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Safe, Effective Care Environment

3. Which of the following is a true statement about assistive devices to aid older adults with impaired mobility?
a.
A walker can be used when climbing stairs.
b.
Cane tips should be smooth.
c.
Older adults save money by adapting assistive devices from their friends.
d.
A cane is most useful for unilateral disabilities but not bilateral problems.

ANS: D
Canes can relieve stress on arthritic joints on one side. A walker can equally relieve pressure on joints on both sides. Cane tips should be flat on the bottom with a series of rings, not smooth. Older adults are tempted to save money by using assistive devices from nonmedical sources; however, regardless of the source of the assistive device, the device should be fitted to the older adult. An older adult should never try to adapt to the assistive device; an ill-fitted device can contribute to falls and injuries. Using a walker is contraindicated when climbing stairs. Improperly selected or improperly used assistive devices can be risk factors for falling.

PTS: 1 DIF: Understand REF: 207-210
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Safe, Effective Care Environment

4. The overall temperature in your gerontological unit is 62° F during the evening shift. In documenting this concern to the administration, which factor is the most important for the health and well-being of older adults?
a.
It is not fair for older adults to have to deal with an uncomfortable environment.
b.
Some of the residents are wearing blankets around their shoulders to keep warm.
c.
An ambient temperature of 62° F is unsuitable for older people because they have impaired thermoregulation.
d.
It feels much warmer in the administration wing than out in the patient care areas.

ANS: C
Under no circumstances should the temperature drop below 65° F because older adults are at risk for hypothermia. Furthermore, frail older adults need the temperature to be considerably higher. The issue is not one of fairness but a more fundamental issue of patient safety. Some of the residents wearing blankets may represent individual temperature preferences. The purpose is to make the point that the patients are vulnerable to low temperatures, not to make veiled accusations against the administrators.

PTS: 1 DIF: Apply REF: 215| 218 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Safe, Effective Care Environment