Deck 11: The Older Patient

Question 1

According to Butler,a well-known gerontologist,ageism:

A) Dehumanizes the older individual.
B) Is based on the biologic theory of aging.
C) Is based on natural and purposeful occurrences.
D) Continues to change as the population ages.

Answer 1

Dehumanizes the older individual.

Question 2

To relieve the discomfort of pruritus related to dry skin,the nurse should focus on:

A) Encourage the patient to talk to the primary care physician about the problem.
B) Encourage the patient to take a tepid bath and use moisturizers.
C) Teach the patient that pruritus is an expected consequence of aging.
D) Establishing a medication regimen to control the discomfort.

Answer 2

Encourage the patient to take a tepid bath and use moisturizers.

Question 3

In planning activities to improve short-term memory for an older adult patient experiencing memory deficits,the nurse would:

A) Maintain the same daily schedule.
B) Rehearse memory training.
C) Provide a varied and stimulating daily schedule.
D) Conduct deep-breathing exercises.

Answer 3

Rehearse memory training.

Question 4

The nurse includes in her approach to nursing care that older adult patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)are more likely to develop:

A) Dementia, non-Alzheimer type
B) Alzheimer dementia
C) Parkinson disease
D) Psychotic disorders

Question 5

The nurse in a long-term care facility takes extra precaution in the approach to nursing care because the older adult is more prone to respiratory infection because of:

A) Decreased ciliary action
B) Decreased physical activity
C) Inadequate hydration
D) Poor personal hygiene

Question 6

The nurse is aware that an older person whose renal changes make it impossible to concentrate or dilute urine is at risk for:

A) Urinary infection
B) Dehydration
C) Incontinence
D) Renal failure

Question 7

For most older adults,facts are that are generally accepted include:

A) Intellectual capabilities are impaired.
B) Functional brain activities decrease.
C) Functional intellectual capability is maintained.
D) Creativity and judgment are severely impaired.

Question 8

The nurse explains that the effects of aging on the nervous system result in:

A) Accelerated loss of neurons in the brain.
B) Gradually declining loss of intellectual capability.
C) Decreased conduction speed of neurons.
D) Loss of long-term memory.

Question 9

Chemosensory changes that are observed in the older adult:

A) Are directly related to the aging process.
B) Are most often caused by disease.
C) Begin in the fifth decade of life.
D) Affect more women than men.

Question 10

Prerequisites for the nurse working with the geriatric patient include an understanding that:

A) Specialized knowledge is needed.
B) The geriatric patient will be physically impaired.
C) Most geriatric patients will develop dementia.
D) The geriatric patient will need to be closely supervised.

Question 11

When the patient holds his Bible 6 inches from his face and turns his head to read out of the corner of his eyes,the nurse suspects that the patient is developing:

A) Cataracts
B) Glaucoma
C) Presbyopia
D) Macular degeneration

Question 12

The nurse assesses a major sign of renal changes related to age,which is:

A) Hematuria
B) Nocturia
C) Urgency incontinence
D) Renal calculi

Question 13

When gathering data concerning the musculoskeletal system,the most significant assessment would be:

A) Slow gait
B) Degree of motion of all joints
C) Enlarged joints
D) Crepitus in joints

Question 14

The nurse cautions family members that the final developmental stage is ego integrity.According to Erikson,if this stage is not mastered,the older adult will:

A) Have to repeat a previous stage.
B) Experience despair.
C) Be unable to advance past his or her present stage.
D) Experience disappointment.

Question 15

The nursing interventions appropriate for the patient with presbycusis would be:

A) Speak clearly and distinctly while facing the patient.
B) Announce your presence when entering the patient's room.
C) Place needed articles within easy reach.
D) Orient the patient to time and place as needed.

Question 16

The term old age or aged can best be defined as:

A) Person's state of mind
B) Person older than 65 years of age
C) Process of growing older
D) Person of advanced age

Question 17

Aging is recognized by gerontologists as a developmental process that:

A) Is measured in chronologic years.
B) Is directly related to heredity.
C) Relates to behavioral characteristics.
D) Begins at the time of birth.

Question 18

The nurse reassures a patient who is worried about memory loss by using an example of normal memory change or lapse of memory such as:

A) Relying on another person to remember names or important events
B) Occasional forgetfulness or inability to recall names or facts
C) Difficulty in recalling recent events
D) Difficulty in recalling past events

Question 19

Considering the gastrointestinal (GI)changes that take place in the geriatric patient,the assessment with the greatest priority to report is:

A) 24-hour urinary output of 1450 ml
B) 24-hour dietary intake of 75% of meals
C) Last bowel movement 4 days ago
D) Weight loss of 2 pounds since admission 2 months ago

Question 20

A 78-year-old resident of a long-term care facility insists on wearing high heels and miniskirts to the dining room for meals and will not leave her room without first applying glamorous makeup.The gerontologic nurse assesses that the behavior is related to:

A) Insecurity about her appearance.
B) Trying to cope with the changes of aging.
C) Denial concerning her advancing age.
D) Her fashion consciousness.

Question 21

The nurse is aware that drug toxicity can occur as a result of an age-related change in the liver,which is:

A) Increased liver size
B) Decreased liver enzyme activity
C) Rapid blood flow through the liver
D) Fluid accumulation in the portal vein

Question 22

The nurse assesses age-related cardiovascular changes that include:

A) Cardiac murmurs
B) Widened pulse pressure
C) Pulse decreasing in force
D) Dyspnea
E) Chest pain

Question 23

The error theories of aging are all based on the following concepts:

A) Rate of aging is related to the rate of living.
B) Aging is a result of purposeful events governed by genetic structure.
C) External events cause damage to cells.
D) The organism becomes immune to the body's restorative processes.
E) Cumulative damage causes organ malfunction.

Question 24

A 77-year-old recently admitted to a long-term care facility refuses to join in activities or go to the dining room for meals.This behavior may indicate that the patient is:

A) Stubborn
B) Depressed
C) Afraid
D) Tired

Question 25

A new 72-year-old resident of a long-term care facility naps frequently during the day,stating that he is tired.The nurse should:

A) Obtain an order from the primary caregiver for a sedative.
B) Ask the patient if he is sleeping well at night.
C) Plan activities to keep the patient awake during the day.
D) Tell the patient that he cannot take any more naps.