Chapter 41: Home Care Safety

Chapter 41: Home Care Safety

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. Patients who require home care often experience physical alterations that require changes in their home environment. In the case of older adults, what is the best way to make these changes?

a.	Make changes quickly to prevent problems.
b.	Make changes to limit the patient’s need to move around.
c.	Make changes to complement the patient’s strengths.
d.	Make changes regardless of the patient’s previous sense of personal space.

 

 

ANS:  C

In the case of older adults, the progressive physical changes of aging create the same type of need. Changes made should complement the patient’s remaining strengths. Making changes too rapidly without the patient’s consent will cause more problems than benefits. Appreciate the arrangement of the patient’s space within the home, and do not move things or suggest modifications without permission. You also need to respect the concept of personal space.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Text reference: p. 995

OBJ:   Identify interventions that modify the home environment for physical safety.

TOP:   Modifying Safety Risks                   KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

2. The nurse is assessing a patient for mobility problems that could lead to falls. She has the patient perform a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The nurse  uses this test to gauge:

a.	the patient’s ability to perform advanced ambulation maneuvers.
b.	whether the patient can walk 30 feet without fatiguing.
c.	whether the patient can tolerate the activity for longer than 30 seconds.
d.	how quickly the patient can perform the test.

 

 

ANS:  D

Conduct a TUG for basic mobility. Instruct the patient to rise from a standard chair, walk approximately 10 feet (3 meters), turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit in the chair again. Have patient perform the test 3 times, and then calculate the mean score. Time the patient while he or she performs the activity. The normal time required to finish the test is less than 13.5 seconds. Individuals who cannot complete the test probably have mobility problems, especially if the time is greater than 20 seconds. This is not a test for tolerance of activity.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Text reference: p. 997

OBJ:   Perform a geriatric fall risk assessment.

TOP:   Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test         KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

3. When teaching an elderly patient about safety in the bathroom, which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

a.	Use bath oils to maintain skin integrity and suppleness.
b.	Hang towels on grab bars for easy access.
c.	Make sure the bathroom door can be locked from the inside only for privacy.
d.	Shower using a shower stool and a handheld sprayer.

 

 

ANS:  D

A shower stool allows the patient to sit while showering. Use of bath oils makes the tub surface slippery and increases the risk for falls. Do not hang towels on grab bars. Some patients accidentally grab the towel instead of the bar when needing support. Be sure that bathroom doors can be unlocked from both sides of the door. Functional locks prevent the person from becoming trapped in the bathroom.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Text reference: p. 998

OBJ:   Perform a home safety risk assessment.                             TOP:   Home Safety

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

 

4. Which of the following is a safety measure that the patient should implement in the home environment?

a.	Using fluorescent lighting
b.	Wearing extra clothing for padding
c.	Obtaining a large fire extinguisher
d.	Installing additional towel bars for support in the shower

 

 

ANS:  B

Have the patient use padding or types of clothing that will cushion bony prominences, especially high-risk bony prominences (e.g., hips). Specially designed hip protectors are available; they help to absorb the impact of a falling body. Provide a direct light source in areas where the patient reads, cooks, uses tools, or conducts hobby work. Avoid fluorescent lighting because it creates excessive glare. Have the patient select a fire extinguisher that is easy to handle and manipulate. Have a grab bar installed into wall studs at the tub, toilet, and/or shower. Towel bars are not designed to support the weight of the patient.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Text reference: p. 1001

OBJ:   Identify interventions used to reduce safety risks for patients with sensory, cognitive, and mental status alterations.                          TOP:              Padded Clothing

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment