Deck 9: Assessing the Older Adult: Whats Different

Question 1

Nurses must know these aspects of normal aging in order to correctly interpret the clinical findings and provide a holistic approach to health promotion and health care:

A) psychological
B) physical
C) physiological
D) chemical

Answer 1

physiological

Question 2

Which of these represents normal physiological changes of aging?

A) decreased salivation
B) reduced number of papillae on the tongue
C) missing or worn teeth or dentures
D) all of the above

Answer 2

all of the above

Question 3

Sensorineural hearing loss involves high-frequency hearing loss and which of the following?

A) difficulty with speech comprehension
B) problems with word discrimination
C) inner ear malfunction
D) conductive hearing loss

Answer 3

difficulty with speech comprehension

Question 4

The corneal curvature decreases with age which leads to the inability of the lens to compensate. In an older person, this can:

A) produce loss of central vision.
B) alter visual acuity.
C) lead to macular degeneration.
D) cause ocular perfusion.

Question 5

An increased risk for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance among older adults is most affected by which of the following systems?

A) pulmonary
B) cardiac
C) sensory
D) integumentary

Question 6

Mechanical alterations such as reduced cough reflex and a decline in ciliary function can cause:

A) a reduction in the number of alveoli.
B) decreased lung capacity.
C) pulmonary infections.
D) kyphosis.

Question 7

This predisposes to left ventricular stiffness and impaired diastolic filling:

A) vascular stiffness
B) atrial fibrillation
C) pulmonary vein dilation
D) hemodynamic changes

Question 8

Which of the following, observed during a cardiovascular assessment, would reveal a normal variation as a result of an older adult's physiological changes?

A) increased peripheral pulses
B) decreased systolic blood pressure
C) functional murmur
D) increased heart rate

Question 9

Reduced hydrochloric acid in the stomach can result in a reduction in:

A) vitamin B₁₂.
B) vitamin D absorption.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 10

As adults age, a 50% reduction in erythropoietin production and a reduction in the dietary intake and absorption of iron, as well as co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, can affect:

A) platelet count.
B) lab values.
C) bone density.
D) parathyroid hormone.

Question 11

Nurses can help reduce the injury component of aging by providing education and facilitating the maintenance of:

A) fitness levels.
B) health.
C) balance.
D) all of the above

Question 12

A more rapid and earlier decline in this can occur as a result of smoking, certain medications, and comorbid conditions such as Alzheimer's:

A) eyesight
B) sense of smell
C) hearing
D) balance