Question

a nurse in a residential care facility is assessing an older adult client. which of the following findings should the nurse identify as atypical indications of infection in this client?
select all that apply.
a urinary incontinence
b malaise
c acute confusion
d fever
e agitation

Explanation:

• Urinary incontinence: In older adults, infection can disrupt normal bladder control, leading to urinary incontinence.
• Malaise: A general feeling of discomfort or illness (malaise) is a common non - specific sign of infection in older adults.
• Acute confusion (delirium): Infection is a common cause of acute confusion in the elderly as the body's response to infection can affect the brain.
• Agitation: Similar to acute confusion, the physiological stress of an infection can present as agitation in older adults.
• Fever: While fever is a classic sign of infection in younger populations, older adults may have a blunted immune response and may not exhibit a fever even with a significant infection.

Answer:

A. Urinary incontinence, B. Malaise, C. Acute confusion, E. Agitation