Question 1

Which of the following should the nurse include in the psychosocial assessment of an older patient?

Accepted Answer

Psychosocial assessment includes evaluating the patient's social support system, relationships with family and friends, financial situation, and overall emotional well-being. Understanding these factors can help identify potential barriers to care and interventions that may be needed to support the patient's mental health. Comorbid diseases, joint pain, and genetics would be important parts of a physical assessment, but do not fall under the scope of a psychosocial assessment.

Question 2

Which of the following does the nurse do when preparing to perform a skilled and detailed assessment of an older adult that is not usually required when assessing a younger individual?

Accepted Answer

Allowing more time for assessing is not usually required when assessing a younger individual, but it is important when assessing an older adult because they may have more complex health needs and may require more time to answer questions and complete tasks.

Question 3

Which question or command is a part of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)?

Accepted Answer

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) includes questions aimed at identifying depressive symptoms in older adults, such as preferring to stay at home rather than going out, which can indicate a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities.

Question 4

Which of the following is considered a functional activity needed for independent living (an instrumental activity of daily living, or IADL)?

Accepted Answer

Washing clothes is an example of an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) that is necessary for independent living. Feeding and dressing are basic activities of daily living (BADL) and getting out of bed is a mobility-related activity.

Question 5

Which type of assessment tool gives the most reliable results for an older adult?

Accepted Answer

Observational assessments may give the most reliable results for older adults, as they may have difficulty accurately conveying their own experiences or may have cognitive limitations that limit their ability to accurately complete self-report measures. An observational assessment can provide a more objective view of an individual's abilities and limitations. However, it is important to consider the specific needs and abilities of the individual being assessed and to use a variety of assessment tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of their functioning.

Question 6

The FANCAPES model represents Fluids, Aeration, Nutrition, Communication, Activity, Pain, Elimination, and Socialization. When would this tool be used to assess an older adult?

Accepted Answer

The FANCAPES model is best used to assess an older adult’s functional performance by examining their fluids, aeration, nutrition, communication, activity, pain, elimination, and socialization. It is designed to help healthcare professionals identify potential problems, such as dehydration or social isolation, which can adversely affect an older adult’s overall health and quality of life. The model is not designed to assess mental status, physical assistance, or caregiver burden specifically.

Question 7

Which tool is used to assess an older adult's functional capability?

Accepted Answer

The FIM (Functional Independence Measure) is a widely used tool that assesses an older adult's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as dressing, bathing, toileting, shopping, and cooking. It provides a comprehensive understanding of functional capability and has been found to be reliable and valid in many populations. ADL (Choice A) is also a relevant measure of functional capability, but it only assesses basic self-care tasks such as feeding, grooming, and mobility. MMSE (Choice B) is a cognitive screening tool that assesses orientation, memory, attention, and language function and is not directly related to functional capability. OBRA (Choice C) is a federal law that sets standards for nursing home care and does not involve direct assessment of functional capability.

Question 8

Why should a new nurse use a standardized assessment tool?

Accepted Answer

Using a standardized assessment tool increases the likelihood of collecting the most accurate data. This is important for new nurses who may not yet possess refined interviewing skills. While some tools may allow for electronic data collection and analysis, and some may provide an automated means of choosing nursing diagnoses, these are not the primary reasons for using a standardized assessment tool.

Question 9

The nurse assesses an older male adult who has Alzheimer's disease and his caregiver. Which information from the caregiver warrants further investigation by the nurse to assess the caregiver for strain?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse assesses an older male adult...

Question 10

Which functional assessment tool asks about the mechanical and psychological factors affecting an older adult's ability to maintain an adequate diet?

Accepted Answer

FANCAPES (Food, Assistance, Nutritional Status, Chewing/Swallowing, Appetite, Psychosocial, Economic, and Shopping) is a functional assessment tool that specifically addresses the mechanical and psychological factors affecting an older adult's ability to maintain an adequate diet. The Katz Index assesses activities of daily living, the Functional Independence Measure assesses functional abilities across multiple domains, and the Older Americans Resources and Services assesses an individual's eligibility for certain services and benefits.

Question 11

Which assessment tool is the most comprehensive exam of an older adult's functional status?

Accepted Answer

The Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) instrument is the most comprehensive exam of an older adult's functional status, covering physical, social, and mental health domains. The Katz Index, Fulmer SPICES, and The Functional APGAR Evaluation Tool all assess specific aspects of an older adult's function, but do not cover as many domains as the OARS instrument.

Question 12

The nurse assesses an older female adult in midmorning and, in a normal-toned voice, asks her, "Do you walk to the library to borrow books?" How should this nurse improve an assessment of an older adult?

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient directly about how she obtains books allows for a more open-ended response and respects her autonomy, providing more accurate and personalized information.

Question 13

Which one of the following categories is not found in the Fulmer SPICES assessment tool?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following categories is...

Quiz 13: Assessment Tools in Gerontological Nursing