Healthcare Approach to Chronic Conditions

Every question here, with the answer

1. A patient with multimorbidity sees several specialty providers and brings a long medication list to the clinic. Which nursing action best promotes safety and quality of life?

   1. Focus teaching only on the newest diagnosis because multiple conditions are too complex.
   2. Review the regimen for problematic combinations and coordinate concerns across specialties.
   3. Ask each specialist to manage only the medications they prescribed without nursing follow-up.
   4. Tell the patient to stop any medication that causes worry until the next visit.

   Answer: Review the regimen for problematic combinations and coordinate concerns across specialties.

   Patients with multiple chronic diseases may receive medications from many specialty providers, which increases the need for nursing diligence. The nurse supports safety by identifying problematic combinations and coordinating the plan rather than leaving care fragmented or stopping medications independently.

2. A patient with a chronic condition says, “I want to take a more active role in my care, but I do not know where to start.” Which recommendations align with nursing care for chronic conditions? Select all that apply.

   1. Learn about the disease process.
   2. Avoid talking with others about the illness to prevent dependence.
   3. Join a support group.
   4. Become an expert in their own care.
   5. Leave medication and treatment details for providers only.

   Answer: Learn about the disease process., Join a support group., Become an expert in their own care.

   The section emphasizes helping patients use support networks and increase self-management. Avoiding discussion or not understanding medications and treatment would work against empowerment and autonomy.

3. A nurse is creating a care plan for a patient who is uninsured, unemployed, and experiencing housing insecurity. The patient usually seeks care only during health crises. What should the nurse prioritize in the plan?

   1. Assume the patient will not follow up and limit teaching to the current visit.
   2. Wait to add support services until the patient returns with an acute crisis.
   3. Use the same plan as for patients with stable housing to avoid singling the patient out.
   4. Focus on health promotion and disease prevention while considering the challenges the patient faces.

   Answer: Focus on health promotion and disease prevention while considering the challenges the patient faces.

   The section identifies these factors as risks that can make accessing chronic disease care more difficult. Nurses should consider these challenges and focus on prevention to reduce the likelihood of crisis-based care.

4. A nurse performs a functional assessment for a patient with a chronic condition to determine needed support services. Which areas should the nurse assess? Select all that apply.

   1. Social interactions and family roles.
   2. Whether one fixed education session can meet all future needs.
   3. Ability to complete self-care and activities of daily living.
   4. Transportation and medication management.
   5. Auscultation and palpation findings only.

   Answer: Social interactions and family roles., Ability to complete self-care and activities of daily living., Transportation and medication management.

   Functional assessment looks at how the patient functions in everyday life, including self-care, transportation, medication management, social interactions, and family roles. Auscultation and palpation are part of physical assessment, and chronic disease education is ongoing rather than one fixed session.

5. A patient with difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes reports pain with finger sticks, trouble remembering blood sugar checks, erratic blood sugar levels, and fear of insulin therapy because of low blood sugar at work. Which nursing action best applies the QSEN informatics competency described in the section?

   1. Recommend that the patient stop checking blood sugar when checks are painful.
   2. Relay the concerns to the healthcare provider and advocate for continuous glucose monitoring.
   3. Tell the patient that technology should be avoided until the medication regimen is stable.
   4. Focus only on explaining insulin and do not involve the healthcare provider.

   Answer: Relay the concerns to the healthcare provider and advocate for continuous glucose monitoring.

   The section describes using technology-based interventions when there are gaps in monitoring or education. In this scenario, the nurse can communicate concerns and advocate for CGM to help monitor and improve the insulin regimen.

6. The nurse is planning care for two patients with the same chronic diagnosis but different preferences, resources, and goals. Which actions reflect patient-centered chronic care? Select all that apply.

   1. Use active listening so the patients are and feel heard.
   2. Ask about each patient’s treatment choices and views on quality of life.
   3. Offer respect and acceptance regardless of the patient’s choices.
   4. Use one standard plan because patients with the same diagnosis require the same goals and resources.
   5. Incorporate patient choices into treatment plans even when preferences differ.

   Answer: Use active listening so the patients are and feel heard., Ask about each patient’s treatment choices and views on quality of life., Offer respect and acceptance regardless of the patient’s choices., Incorporate patient choices into treatment plans even when preferences differ.

   Patient-centered care recognizes that patients experience chronic disease differently and may make different treatment and lifestyle choices. A standard plan based only on diagnosis ignores individual preferences, resources, and goals.