A male nurse is enjoying a very hot summer day at the zoo when he noti

A male nurse is enjoying a very hot summer day at the zoo when he notices a family approaching. An elderly member of the family is moving very slowly and being scolded by another adult, saying “You are not sick. Let’s keep moving.”

The nurse touches the elderly adult who has a flushed face and notices clammy and moist skin. What should the nurse say to the adult?
a.
“I’m a nurse, and your family member needs to go to the emergency department right now.”
b.
“I’m a nurse, and your family member has heat stroke. I’m calling 911.”
c.
“Take your family member to the air-conditioned restaurant, and have him drink a cold soda immediately.”
d.
“Take your family member to the air-conditioned restaurant, and let your family rest for a while.”

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: D
There is not enough evidence to be quite sure what is wrong with the elderly adult, but clearly the elderly person is suffering from being in the hot sun for a period of time. The elderly adult—and probably the rest of the family as well—needs to be moved to a cooler environment and be made to lie down and rest. Drinking chilled water (not soda with caffeine) would also be helpful. In that cooler environment, the nurse can assess the situation to determine whether further action should be taken.