Deck 2: Common Health Problems of Older Adults

Question 1

An older adult client takes medication three times a day and becomes confused about which medication should be taken at which time.The client refuses to use a pill sorter with slots for different times,saying "Those are for old people." What action by the nurse would be most helpful?

A) Arrange medications by time in a drawer.
B) Encourage the client to use easy-open tops.
C) Put color-coded stickers on the bottle caps.
D) Write a list of when to take each medication.

Answer 1

Put color-coded stickers on the bottle caps.

Question 2

An older adult recently retired and reports "being depressed and lonely." What information should the nurse assess as a priority?

A) History of previous depression
B) Previous stressful events
C) Role of work in the adult's life
D) Usual leisure time activities

Answer 2

Role of work in the adult's life

Question 3

A visiting nurse is in the home of an older adult and notes a 7-pound weight loss since last month's visit.What actions should the nurse perform first? (Select all that apply.)

A) Assess the client's ability to drive or transportation alternatives.
B) Determine if the client has dentures that fit appropriately.
C) Encourage the client to continue the current exercise plan.
D) Have the client complete a 3-day diet recall diary.
E) Teach the client about proper nutrition in the older population.

Answer 3

Assess the client's ability to drive or transportation alternatives.
Determine if the client has dentures that fit appropriately.
Have the client complete a 3-day diet recall diary.

Question 4

A nurse caring for an older client in the hospital is concerned the client is not competent to give consent for upcoming surgery.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Call Adult Protective Services.
B) Discuss concerns with the health care team.
C) Do not allow the client to sign the consent.
D) Have the client's family sign the consent.

Question 5

A nursing student working in an Adult Care for Elders unit learns that frailty in the older population includes which components? (Select all that apply.)

A) Dementia
B) Exhaustion
C) Slowed physical activity
D) Weakness
E) Weight gain

Question 6

A nurse caring for an older adult has provided education on high-fiber foods.Which menu selection by the client demonstrates a need for further review?

A) Barley soup
B) Black beans
C) White rice
D) Whole wheat bread

Question 7

An older adult client is in the hospital.The client is ambulatory and independent.What intervention by the nurse would be most helpful in preventing falls in this client?

A) Keep the light on in the bathroom at night.
B) Order a bedside commode for the client.
C) Put the client on a toileting schedule.
D) Use siderails to keep the client in bed.

Question 8

An older adult is brought to the emergency department because of sudden onset of confusion.After the client is stabilized and comfortable,what assessment by the nurse is most important?

A) Assess for orthostatic hypotension.
B) Determine if there are new medications.
C) Evaluate the client for gait abnormalities.
D) Perform a delirium screening test.

Question 9

A nurse working with older adults assesses them for common potential adverse medication effects.For what does the nurse assess? (Select all that apply.)

A) Constipation
B) Dehydration
C) Mania
D) Urinary incontinence
E) Weakness

Question 10

A home health care nurse has conducted a home safety assessment for an older adult.There are five concrete steps leading out from the front door.Which intervention would be most helpful in keeping the older adult safe on the steps?

A) Have the client use a walker or cane on the steps.
B) Install contrasting color strips at the edge of each step.
C) Instruct the client to use the garage door instead.
D) Tell the client to use a two-footed gait on the steps.

Question 11

A nursing faculty member working with students explains that the fastest growing subset of the older population is which group?

A) Elite old
B) Middle old
C) Old old
D) Young old

Question 12

A nurse admits an older client from a home environment where she lives with her adult son and daughter-in-law.The client has urine burns on her skin,no dentures,and several pressure ulcers.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Ask the family how these problems occurred.
B) Call the police department and file a report.
C) Notify Adult Protective Services.
D) Report the findings as per agency policy.

Question 13

A nurse is assessing coping in older women in a support group for recent widows.Which statement by a participant best indicates potential for successful coping?

A) "I have had the same best friend for decades."
B) "I think I am coping very well on my own."
C) "My kids come to see me every weekend."
D) "Oh, I have lots of friends at the senior center."

Question 14

A nurse caring for an older client on a medical-surgical unit notices the client reports frequent constipation and only wants to eat softer foods such as rice,bread,and puddings.What assessment should the nurse perform first?

A) Auscultate bowel sounds.
B) Check skin turgor.
C) Perform an oral assessment.
D) Weigh the client.

Question 15

An older client had hip replacement surgery and the surgeon prescribed morphine sulfate for pain.The client is allergic to morphine and reports pain and muscle spasms.When the nurse calls the surgeon,which medication should he or she suggest in place of the morphine?

A) Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
B) Hydromorphone hydrochloride (Dilaudid)
C) Ketorolac (Toradol)
D) Meperidine (Demerol)

Question 16

A nurse working with older adults in the community plans programming to improve morale and emotional health in this population.What activity would best meet this goal?

A) Exercise program to improve physical function
B) Financial planning seminar series for older adults
C) Social events such as dances and group dinners
D) Workshop on prevention from becoming an abuse victim

Question 17

A nurse manager institutes the Fulmer Spices Framework as part of the routine assessment of older adults in the hospital.The nursing staff assesses for which factors? (Select all that apply.)

A) Confusion
B) Evidence of abuse
C) Incontinence
D) Problems with behavior
E) Sleep disorders

Question 18

A nurse is working with an older client admitted with mild dehydration.What teaching does the nurse provide to best address this issue?

A) "Cut some sodium out of your diet."
B) "Dehydration can cause incontinence."
C) "Have something to drink every 1 to 2 hours."
D) "Take your diuretic in the morning."

Question 19

A home health care nurse is planning an exercise program with an older client who lives at home independently but whose mobility issues prevent much activity outside the home.Which exercise regimen would be most beneficial to this adult?

A) Building strength and flexibility
B) Improving exercise endurance
C) Increasing aerobic capacity
D) Providing personal training

Question 20

A home health care nurse assesses an older client for the intake of nutrients needed in larger amounts than in younger adults.Which foods found in an older adult's kitchen might indicate an adequate intake of these nutrients? (Select all that apply.)

A) 1% milk
B) Carrots
C) Lean ground beef
D) Oranges
E) Vitamin D supplements

Question 21

A nurse admits an older client to the hospital who lives at home with family.The nurse assesses that the client is malnourished.What actions by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.)

A) Contact Adult Protective Services or hospital social work.
B) Notify the provider that the client needs a tube feeding.
C) Perform and document results of a Braden Scale assessment.
D) Request a dietary consultation from the health care provider.
E) Suggest a high-protein oral supplement between meals.

Question 22

A hospitalized older adult has been assessed at high risk for skin breakdown.Which actions does the registered nurse (RN)delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)

A) Assess skin redness when turning.
B) Document Braden Scale results.
C) Keep the client's skin dry.
D) Obtain a pressure-relieving mattress.
E) Turn the client every 2 hours.