Chapter 42: Home Care Teaching

Chapter 42: Home Care Teaching

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. Of the following types of thermometers available, which is not recommended for home use?

a.	Digital
b.	Tympanic
c.	Mercury
d.	Disposable single-use

 

 

ANS:  C

If a mercury thermometer breaks, and it is not disposed of properly, the mercury gets into the air, posing a major health risk in the home (EPA, 2007). Educate patients about the environmental hazards associated with mercury in the home, and encourage patients to purchase mercury-free thermometers.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Text reference: p. 1017

OBJ:   Discuss situations and conditions that require the patient and/or family to learn skills that support and achieve health maintenance.   TOP:   Mercury Thermometers

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

2. Which of the following is essential in teaching the patient how to use a thermometer?

a.	Reading a digital thermometer
b.	Shaking down the thermometer before use
c.	Using the axillary thermometer
d.	Selecting the most appropriate thermometer

 

 

ANS:  D

Help a patient choose the most appropriate thermometer to use in the home based on the patient’s dexterity, vision, and financial resources. For example, a patient with visual changes from glaucoma or retinopathy is able to read more easily a thermometer with a large digital display. The need for an oral, rectal, or axillary temperature depends on the patient’s age and health status.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Text reference: p. 1017

OBJ:   Identify factors that influence patients’ abilities to learn and care for themselves at home.

TOP:   Choosing the Right Thermometer     KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

3. What should the nurse first assess when preparing to teach a patient and/or family member how to read a thermometer?

a.	Patient’s actual temperature
b.	Patient’s ability to manipulate the thermometer
c.	Family member’s temperature
d.	Patient’s ability to take a pulse and respiratory rate as well

 

 

ANS:  B

Assess the patient’s ability to manipulate and read the thermometer. Physical restrictions in handling or reading the thermometer prevent patients from being able to read the thermometer and often require instruction of a family member or significant other instead of the patient.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Text reference: p. 1017

OBJ:   Identify factors that influence patients’ abilities to learn and care for themselves at home.

TOP:   Choosing the Right Thermometer     KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

4. Which of the following is an appropriate step when teaching temperature monitoring in the home?

a.	Suggest aspirin to decrease fevers.
b.	Recommend using only tympanic membrane sensors.
c.	Encourage the use of alcohol rubs to reduce fevers.
d.	Demonstrate the technique and have the client/caregiver perform it.

 

 

ANS:  D

Demonstration is the best technique for teaching psychomotor skills. It allows for correction of errors in technique as they occur and for discussion of potential consequences of errors. Provide rationale for steps to the patient or caregiver. Use caution in recommending aspirin or any other over-the-counter drug or antipyretic medicine for patients whose conditions contraindicate their use. The type of thermometer needed is determined on the basis of the patient’s age and health status. Instruct the patient or caregiver to never use sponging with isopropyl alcohol to lower fever because of the neurotoxic effects that have been reported.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Text reference: p. 1017

OBJ:   Implement and evaluate appropriate learning strategies that support clients’ ability to care for themselves in the home.                       TOP:   Teaching How to Use the Thermometer

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

5. What should the nurse instruct the patient to do when teaching the patient how to take a temperature?

a.	Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking or ingesting hot or cold foods.
b.	Take the temperature immediately upon seeing chills or shivering.
c.	Wear sterile rubber gloves when taking a rectal temperature.
d.	Lubricate an oral thermometer with water-soluble lubricant only.

 

 

ANS:  A

Instruct the patient to take the temperature at least 30 minutes after smoking or ingesting hot or cold liquids or foods. This improves the accuracy of temperature readings. To ensure accuracy, teach the patient to take the temperature after chills or shivering subsides. If taking rectal temperature, instruct the patient to lubricate the thermometer tip with water-soluble lubricant, to wear clean, disposable gloves, and to use only a rectal thermometer. Lubrication normally is not needed when one is taking an oral temperature.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Text reference: p. 1018

OBJ:   Implement and evaluate appropriate learning strategies that support clients’ ability to care for themselves in the home.                       TOP:   Teaching How to Use the Thermometer

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment