Question

A patient who sustained a head injury received initial management and is being discharged. The nurse is teaching measures to be followed by the caregiver. Which statements made by the caregiver indicate the need for further teaching? Select all that apply.

a) "I should maintain a calm environment if the patient is angry."
b) "I should assist with a walker if the patient has difficulty walking."
c) "I should not allow the patient to drive under the influence of morphine."
d) "I should give hot baths if the patient experiences shivering and drowsiness."
e) "I should report to the primary health care provider if the patient has numbness in fingers."

Answer 1

The statement indicating the need for further teaching is providing hot baths when the patient experiences shivering and drowsiness as this can be dangerous.

Step-by-step explanation:

Examining the statements made by the caregiver to determine their understanding of the measures to be followed after a patient with a head injury is discharged can indicate whether further teaching is needed. Statements that suggest the need for further teaching include: "I should give hot baths if the patient experiences shivering and drowsiness." This is incorrect as hot baths can be dangerous if the patient is not fully alert or if they have impaired temperature sensation. The statement "I should not allow the patient to drive under the influence of morphine" is accurate since driving under the influence of narcotics is unsafe and can impair judgment and motor skills. Reporting numbness in the fingers to a primary health care provider (statement e) is important as it could indicate a neurological issue that needs to be addressed.