High Risk Pneumonia – Answer Key
True – Reduced mobility, pain, and fatigue can make it harder to take deep breaths and clear mucus, which increases pneumonia risk.
True – Lung exercises help keep airways open, clear mucus, and reduce infection risk.
True – Pneumonia is often preventable with good breathing exercises, activity, and oral care.
True – Deep breathing every 30 minutes while awake helps keep the lungs healthy and reduces infection.
False – You should sit up straight and take deep breaths, not lie down and breathe shallow.
True – Pursed lip breathing helps keep the lungs open and lowers collapse risk.
True – The incentive spirometer and breathing exercises strengthen your lungs and prevent pneumonia.
True – Brushing teeth and tongue removes bacteria that could travel to the lungs.
True – Older adults may show fatigue or confusion as a main pneumonia symptom.
True – New or worsening symptoms like cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath require calling your provider right away.
True – Rapid breathing, high fever, or blue lips are emergencies and require ER care.
True – Gentle activity helps keep the lungs working and prevents pneumonia.
True – Breathing exercises clear mucus and lower bacterial growth.
False – Breathing exercises should be done regularly, not only when you feel good.
False – Do not wait. If you have fever, chills, or colored mucus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
#16 – Three ways to reduce pneumonia risk:
Perform deep breathing and coughing exercises regularly.
Use the incentive spirometer as instructed.
Practice good oral hygiene (brush teeth and tongue three times daily).
Stay active as your doctor recommends.
High Risk for Falls – Answer Key
True – Muscles weaken, fatigue increases, and medications may cause dizziness, raising fall risk.
False – Waiting too long can cause you to rush and increase risk of falling.
True – Planning bathroom breaks lowers the chance of rushing and tripping.
False – Standing quickly increases dizziness and fall risk.
True – Waiting 30 seconds helps your blood pressure adjust and reduces dizziness.
False – If you’re unsteady, use support like a cane or walker, don’t test balance alone.
True – Clearing walkways prevents tripping hazards.
False – Keep your head up; walking with your head down makes you lose balance.
True – Pets can trip you; keeping them away helps prevent falls.
True – Floor changes (carpet to hardwood) can cause trips; walk carefully.
True – Reducing stair use lowers fall risk after hospitalization.
True – Clear emergency exit paths in case you need to leave quickly.
False – You should always use prescribed medical equipment, even if you feel steady.
True – Use walkers, canes, or other devices every time you get up if prescribed.
True – Even without pain, notify your provider after a fall.
False – Never ignore a fall; it could still cause hidden injury.
True – Loss of consciousness or confusion means you need ER care immediately.
True – Severe or persistent pain may mean a fracture or injury that needs emergency care.
True – Concussion symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.
True – Report repeated falls even without injury to your provider.
#21 – Three ways to reduce fall risk:
Stand up slowly and wait before walking.
Clear clutter and keep walkways well lit.
Use prescribed medical equipment (walker, cane).
Plan bathroom trips regularly to avoid rushing.
High Risk Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – Answer Key
True – DVT happens more often when you’re not moving much.
True – Staying hydrated helps keep blood thin and moving.
False – Caffeine dehydrates you; it does not lower clot risk.
True – Crossing legs restricts circulation and raises clot risk.
False – Tight clothing restricts blood flow and increases clot risk.
True – Always take blood thinners exactly as prescribed.
True – Report unusual bleeding right away; it may be a side effect of blood thinners.
True – Calf exercises keep blood flowing and prevent clot formation.
False – Do exercises often, not just once a day.
True – One-sided swelling may indicate a clot.
True – Pain or tenderness in the leg, especially when walking, is a symptom of DVT.
False – Red or discolored skin is a sign of DVT, not something to ignore.
True – Warmth in the affected area may signal DVT.
True – Call your provider if you notice sudden swelling in your leg or arm.
False – Persistent calf pain must be reported to your provider.
True – Redness and warmth in a limb are warning signs.
True – Shortness of breath or chest pain could mean a pulmonary embolism (life-threatening emergency).
False – Never wait; chest pain or sudden shortness of breath needs emergency care immediately.
True – Drinking water helps prevent dehydration and lowers clot risk.
False – Do not keep taking blood thinners if you notice unusual bleeding; call your doctor right away.
#21 – Three ways to reduce DVT risk:
Do frequent leg and ankle exercises.
Stay well hydrated (drink water).
Avoid crossing legs or wearing tight clothes.
Take blood thinners as prescribed.
High Risk Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) – Answer Key
True – Holding urine allows bacteria to multiply, increasing infection risk.
True – Frequent incontinent care prevents bacteria growth from urine or stool.
False – Always wipe front to back, not back to front.
True – Water helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
False – Only pure cranberry juice (not cocktail) may help prevent UTIs.
True – Pain or burning while urinating is a common UTI symptom.
True – Frequent urges with little urine output can be a UTI sign.
True – Cloudy, dark, or smelly urine is often a symptom.
False – Blood in urine, even pink or red, is a symptom and should not be ignored.
True – Lower belly pain or pressure may be a UTI symptom.
True – Fatigue or shakiness can happen with UTIs, especially in older adults.
True – Fever and chills may mean the infection is spreading and serious.
True – Difficulty urinating is a symptom of UTI.
True – Feeling like you can’t urinate is a warning sign.
False – Even if pain goes away, report burning or painful urination.
True – Report belly or back pain with UTI symptoms to your provider.
True – Severe back pain and confusion may mean the infection spread to the kidneys or bloodstream—go to the ER.
True – High fever and chills with UTI symptoms require immediate ER care.
False – Don’t wait; cloudy urine can signal infection and should be reported.
True – Always contact your provider if you have UTI symptoms to prevent complications.
#21 – Three ways to reduce UTI risk:
Drink plenty of water.
Wipe front to back after using the bathroom.
Perform frequent incontinence care.
Don’t hold urine—empty bladder when needed.
High Risk Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores) – Answer Key
True – Changing positions every 2 hours reduces pressure on the skin and helps prevent sores.
True – Lifting (instead of sliding) prevents skin rubbing and friction that can damage skin.
True – Support pillows under calves help take pressure off the heels.
True – Shifting weight every 2 hours when sitting relieves pressure on buttocks and hips.
True – Using pillows or cushions helps reduce pressure on bony areas like hips and shoulders.
False – It’s not safe to stay in one position all day. Regular position changes are critical.
True – Moisture (from sweat, urine, or stool) makes the skin weaker and more likely to break down.
True – Keeping skin clean and dry helps prevent sores.
True – Good nutrition, including protein and vitamins, helps skin stay strong and heal.
False – Poor nutrition (not eating enough protein or calories) increases the risk of sores.
True – Special mattresses and seat cushions can help spread out pressure on the skin.
True – Checking skin daily (heels, buttocks, hips, elbows) helps catch sores early.
False – Redness that does not go away is an early warning sign and should be reported.
True – Bed sores often start on bony areas like heels, buttocks, hips, and shoulders.
True – If you notice skin that is red, warm, swollen, or blistered, notify your home health provider immediately.
False – Never massage reddened skin; it can damage fragile tissue even more.
True – Staying active and doing small movements helps improve circulation and lowers sore risk.
True – Hydration is important; dry skin breaks more easily, while dehydration slows healing.
True – Wearing soft, loose clothing reduces rubbing and skin irritation.
True – If a pressure ulcer does not improve or looks worse, you should notify your provider right away.
#21 – Three ways to reduce your risk of pressure ulcers (bed sores):
Change positions at least every 2 hours.
Keep skin clean and dry.
Use pillows to relieve pressure on heels and hips.
Eat Healthy foods with enough protein to keep skin strong.
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Risk of Constipation – Answer Key
False – After hospitalization, you are at higher risk for constipation because of medications, reduced activity, surgery, and diet changes.
True – A bowel movement should happen at least once every three days to avoid constipation.
True – Pain medications, especially opioids, slow down the bowels and are a major cause of constipation.
False – Staying in bed or being less active slows down the bowels and increases constipation risk.
True – Eating little or no fiber makes stools hard and difficult to pass, which can cause constipation.
True – Drinking enough water softens stool and helps prevent constipation.
True – Holding in a bowel movement makes stool drier and harder to pass because the body absorbs more water from it.
True – Light activity, like walking, helps the bowels work better and prevents constipation.
True – Having fewer than three bowel movements per week is a common sign of constipation.
False – If constipated, you should increase fiber-rich foods along with fluids, not avoid them.
False – Stress (physical or emotional) can affect digestion and make constipation worse.
False – A change in diet, especially less fiber or fluids after hospitalization, can lead to constipation.
True – Probiotics may help keep your gut bacteria healthy and improve digestion.
True – Abdominal or pelvic surgeries can temporarily slow bowel movements.
True – If you haven’t had a bowel movement in more than three days despite trying, you should call your provider.
True – Feeling full after eating only a little can be a symptom of constipation.
False – Opioid pain medications do require special precautions, such as stool softeners, to prevent constipation.
False – Caffeine does not replace water and may even dehydrate you. Water is best to prevent constipation.
True – Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding is serious and should be reported right away.
False – You should try scheduled bathroom times even if you don’t feel the urge; waiting too long makes constipation worse.
Three techniques to reduce your risk of constipation:
Drink plenty of water (unless your doctor limits fluids).
Eat fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Stay active with light walking or movement.
(Bonus) Use the bathroom regularly and don’t hold it in.