Deck 13: Promoting Healthy Adaptation to Aging

Question 1

A 76-year-old neighbor confides to the nurse that she is having to get up in the middle of the night to void and often wets herself before she can get to the bathroom during the day. The nurse's best explanation would be:

A) "As you get older, your bladder muscle loses tone and you can hold less urine."
B) "You are probably drinking too much during the day and especially before bedtime."
C) "You probably have a bladder infection that should be treated with antibiotics."
D) "With age, the urine becomes very concentrated and causes the bladder to empty spontaneously."

Answer 1

"As you get older, your bladder muscle loses tone and you can hold less urine."

Question 2

When a 68-year-old recent retiree confides in the health clinic nurse that he has felt depressed and withdrawn since retirement, the nurse suggests that he:

A) talk with the primary care provider about antidepression medication.
B) arrange his day so that he is able to take a nap in the afternoon.
C) set a small goal for himself to be met every day.
D) eat three regular meals as he did when he was employed.

Answer 2

set a small goal for himself to be met every day.

Question 3

An 85-year-old widow who lives alone has fallen several times in the last month and has been noted by her children to be confused about her medications and to frequently "forget" what is cooking on the stove until it is burned. These observations indicate that:

A) she needs to be hospitalized to determine the cause of her confusion and falls.
B) home delivery of a hot meal every day would solve her cooking risk.
C) nursing home placement would be the best solution to her problems of aging.
D) further assessment is needed to evaluate an increased level of assistance.

Answer 3

further assessment is needed to evaluate an increased level of assistance.

Question 4

A nurse working for an assisted living facility is reviewing the Healthy People Objectives for Older Adults. Which of the following would she incorporate into the environment to promote health for the older adult population?

A) Encourage staff management of chronic health conditions.
B) Discourage participation in sessions for "Welcome to Medicare" benefit.
C) Decrease opportunities for light, moderate, or vigorous physical activities.
D) Develop and implement strategies to prevent pressure ulcer formation.

Question 5

The nurse points out that there are many myths about older adults that are not true. The statement that reflects the most accuracy about older adults is:

A) most old people live in nursing homes.
B) genetics is the main factor in longevity.
C) the optimistic, happy person generally lives longer.
D) most old people are isolated from their families.

Question 6

A nurse caring for an older adult suspects that he is experiencing depression. Which of the following are true for the older adult and depression?

A) More than three million older adults experience depression.
B) If experiencing suicidal thoughts, the older adult more likely to act on them successfully.
C) Depression is a risk factor for diabetes.
D) Difficult to treat with medications and counseling.

Question 7

A nurse making a home visit to a 75-year-old woman discovers that the patient stays in bed or on the couch most of the time because she is afraid of falling. The nurse should arrange for:

A) a sitter to stay with the woman during the day.
B) a wheelchair to increase mobility.
C) a physical therapist to teach resistance training.
D) a special cushion for the chair and bed to reduce the risk of decubiti.

Question 8

The nurse understands that the best explanation of why a particular person lives into his 90s in relatively good health is that the person:

A) had healthy parents who passed on to him "good" genes and no hereditary diseases.
B) has lived a healthful lifestyle, which has included preventative care, good nutrition, exercise, and a positive outlook.
C) has treated illness with "old-fashioned" home remedies while avoiding the use of many prescription drugs.
D) reads a lot about the newest advances in health care and tries these approaches as soon as they are publicized.

Question 9

An 80-year-old man has no chronic diseases and is alert, oriented, and physically active. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is likely to be present as a result of the normal aging process?

A) Poisoning, risk for, related to the many medications an older person must take.
B) Suffocation, risk for, related to declining respiratory function.
C) Hopelessness, related to recognition of the end of life drawing near.
D) Constipation, related to slowed peristalsis.

Question 10

The nurse clarifies that the immune system failure theory states that:

A) older adults lose their ability to effectively respond to infections and are more likely to die from them.
B) the body no longer recognizes itself and begins to attack itself, causing illness.
C) toxins and harmful chemicals (free radicals) in the environment cause damage to body cells.
D) the diminished activity of older adults make them susceptible to illness.

Question 11

A 78-year-old man is admitted to the hospital after a fall from his bed at home that resulted in a fractured hip and several fractured ribs. He states, "I don't know how I broke so many bones. I only fell out of bed." The nurse can explain that:

A) loss of calcium from bone occurs in older adults and can result in fractures from minor trauma.
B) it is likely that an underlying disease made him more susceptible to fractures.
C) the bedside table near the bed added to his injuries.
D) the height of the bed will need to be lowered when he goes home to prevent further injuries.

Question 12

An 84-year-old patient who is hospitalized for pneumonia says to the nurse, "I don't know why I've lived so long. All my friends are gone, my children and grandchildren are all independent and successful-nobody needs me anymore." An appropriate response by the nurse is:

A) "You have a lot to live for. Your children and grandchildren really love you."
B) "You must have inherited good genes. You should be thankful you're still alive."
C) "Tell me about your children and what it was like when you were raising them."
D) "The pneumonia has made you feel morbid. Things will look up!"

Question 13

A 70-year-old widower continues to work part time in a demanding business, while traveling in his free time with a 68-year-old widow to visit longtime friends and relatives. He remains an active member of several community organizations. His life is an example of a person who:

A) is acting like a younger person to prove to himself that he is not "old."
B) is adjusting well to the changes of benign senescence.
C) should slow down and enjoy retirement while he is still healthy.
D) is avoiding the psychosocial tasks of aging such as retirement and slowing down.

Question 14

The nurse seeks out residents with whom they reminisce in an interview regarding the resident's life story. The value of this activity is that:

A) it gives the staff more time to care for other residents and perform routine care.
B) it can affirm the positives of the resident's life and lead to ego integrity for the resident.
C) nursing home residents have long days to pass, and any activity helps the time pass more quickly.
D) students learn about the "good old days" and better appreciate the modern conveniences available today.

Question 15

When the 75-year-old patient tells the nurse that he has had a good and rewarding life and has enjoyed every minute of it, the nurse is aware that the patient has attained the Eriksonian stage of:

A) generativity.
B) autonomy.
C) integrity.
D) intimacy.

Question 16

The home health aide who visits an older adult reports to the nurse that the patient has many new bruises on her arms and face. The patient states that her daughter "has a temper and got mad" when she visited the day before. The nurse should:

A) call the daughter for clarification.
B) notify her nursing supervisor to report the incident to the authorities.
C) tell the aide to report it to the nursing supervisor.
D) plan to visit the patient when the daughter will be present.

Question 17

The home health nurse assesses an 80-year-old who has fallen twice in the last 10 days. The nurse discovers that the patient uses a cane for ambulation stability, drinks up to 6 cups of coffee a day, has altered depth perception because of cataracts, and has recently carpeted her home with a smooth tight weave carpet. The nurse suspects the cause of her recent falls to be:

A) the use of the cane.
B) the new carpet.
C) the large intake of caffeine.
D) the altered depth perception.

Question 18

An 82-year-old man is alert and oriented and in good physical health except for some arthritic pain that "slows me down, but I just keep moving." He lives alone in an apartment in a senior citizen complex but enjoys the company of other residents and takes part in the social activities there. His lifestyle is an example of:

A) an exception to the expected norm.
B) the disengagement theory.
C) the activity theory.
D) the biological theory.

Question 19

The nurse warns that infection after exposure to respiratory illness in the older adult:

A) is more likely to result in serious lower respiratory infection related to weakened respiratory muscles and fewer cilia.
B) is likely to be fatal due to the older person's low resistance.
C) results in rates of infection similar to those in the younger adult.
D) can be easily prevented with the use of antibiotics when the adult is exposed.

Question 20

When the nurse is conducting a class for senior citizens at a local assisted living facility, to enhance physical health, he encourages the older residents to engage in some form of exercise for at least:

A) 1 hour every other day.
B) 10 minutes at a time several times a day.
C) 30 minutes a day, five times a week.
D) 1 hour every morning.

Question 21

A 76-year-old recently lost her spouse. They lived in a large house with a yard that they managed well until her spouse's sudden death. She is in good health and stays active but is becoming concerned about her ability to maintain the large house by herself. The nurse's most helpful suggestion would be to: (Select all that apply.)

A) recommend living with her daughter who lives 2 hours away.
B) encourage her to investigate apartment rentals.
C) encourage her to check herself into a skilled nursing facility.
D) hire a gardener and a housekeeper to maintain the property.
E) encourage her to involve family in any decisions related to her living arrangements.

Question 22

An 82-year-old patient expresses concern of always being cold. Based on knowledge of the physical changes associated with aging, the nurse could appropriately respond: (Select all that apply.)

A) "Wrap up warmly, because the cold feeling is a result of decreased bone calcium that occurs with aging."
B) "Chronic constipation can lead to a sense of cold because of the reduced peristalsis."
C) "Subcutaneous fat is reduced as part of aging. This fat helps to keep you warm decreases."
D) "A low level of thyroid hormone causes you to feel cold."
E) "Eat more protein foods to help your body generate heat."

Question 23

A 67-year-old submitted a job application at a local gas station. The station manager said, "Aren't you retired? I can't hire you. You're too old to be working!" This is an example of __________________.

Question 24

An 85-year-old has been increasingly confused and disoriented to place and time over the last several months. He also has difficulty remembering what he ate, who visited, and where the recreation room is. This behavior is indicative of ________________.

Question 25

The home health nurse assesses the older patients in her case load for signs of abuse. The nurse is aware that the primary incidence of abuse is ______________.

Question 26

To promote cognitive health for a 79-year-old, the nursing student should encourage the patient to do which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Read the newspaper.
B) Put together puzzles.
C) Take naps when tired.
D) Write letters.
E) Toilet independently.

Question 27

The nurse points out elements in our culture that support longevity in older people, which include: (Select all that apply.)

A) reducing stress from regular exercise on the body in younger years.
B) being actively involved in their own health care.
C) taking of antibiotics through their lifetime.
D) increasing education about health matters.
E) avoiding the eating of red meat.