Exam 5: Laboratory Values and Diagnostics

You are caring for an elderly male client in a long-term care facility.As part of his annual physical examination,the nurse practitioner orders some laboratory tests,including a complete blood count,serum electrolytes,and thyroid tests.The resident's wife questions these tests stating: "He seems fine to me,a little sleepy,but he is 85 years old,you know." In explaining the rationale for these tests,you base your response on your knowledge that:

A 69-year-old patient in the geriatric clinic has his annual physical examination,and a complete blood count and serum electrolytes are drawn.His laboratory results show an elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN).What is the next action of the nurse?

An 83-year-old resident of a long-term care facility has dementia.She is usually able to feed herself and perform basic ADLs with minimal assistance.She is continent of bowel and bladder,but needs assistance with toileting.The nurse aide who routinely cares for her reports to the nurse that the resident has had three episodes of urinary incontinence and has a decreased appetite.Her daughter reports that her mother seems "different" and "a bit more confused." You speak with the physician who orders a complete blood count and serum electrolytes and states "Call me if any of the labs are abnormal." The lab tests are all within normal limits.The nurse should:

While looking at your patient's laboratory values,you note the following values.Which contains an alteration (increase or decrease)that you might expect with aging?

What is true concerning laboratory values in older adults?

A 77-year-old woman with breast cancer has completed a course of external radiation and is receiving chemotherapy.After her recent chemotherapy treatment,she complains of severe weakness and lethargy,and is admitted to the hospital.She has an unsteady gait,and complains of dizziness when arising from the chair.Her platelet count is 45,000.Based on this scenario,what nursing intervention is of the highest priority?

You are a nurse working in a community health center that is sponsoring a program that offers free prostate-specific antigen (PSA)blood tests to all men older than age 50.A man approaches you and asks,"What is this all about?" What is the best response to him?