Question 1

A nurse is caring for older adult patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).What are these patients more likely to develop?&#10;A) Dementia, non-Alzheimer type&#10;B) Alzheimer dementia&#10;C) Parkinson disease&#10;D) Psychotic disorders

Accepted Answer

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer dementia. MCI can be considered an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form of dementia that people with MCI may progress to.

Question 2

A nurse explains to family members that the final developmental stage is ego integrity.What should occur in the older adult, according to Erikson, if this stage is not mastered?&#10;A) Needs to repeat a previous stage.&#10;B) Experiences despair.&#10;C) Inability to advance past the present stage&#10;D) Experiences disappointment.

Accepted Answer

If ego integrity is not mastered, an older adult may experience despair, which is characterized by feelings of regret, disappointment, and pessimism about their life.

Question 3

What should be the most significant assessment when gathering data concerning the musculoskeletal system?&#10;A) Slow gait&#10;B) Degree of motion of all joints&#10;C) Enlarged joints&#10;D) Crepitus in joints

Accepted Answer

The degree of motion of all joints is the most significant assessment when gathering data concerning the musculoskeletal system. This information establishes a baseline for comparison and helps identify any joint abnormalities or limitations in mobility. Slow gait, enlarged joints, and crepitus in joints are also important to assess but may not be as significant as the degree of motion of all joints.

Question 4

How is aging recognized by gerontologists as a developmental process?&#10;A) Measured in chronologic years&#10;B) Directly related to heredity&#10;C) Related to behavioral characteristics&#10;D) Begins at the time of birth

Accepted Answer

Gerontologists recognize aging as a developmental process that begins at birth, as it encompasses the entire lifespan, not just the later years.

Question 5

Which assessment is the greatest priority to report when considering the gastrointestinal (GI)changes that take place in the geriatric patient?&#10;A) 24-hour urinary output of 1450 mL&#10;B) 24-hour dietary intake of 75% of meals&#10;C) Last bowel movement 4 days ago&#10;D) Weight loss of 2 lb since admission 2 months ago

Accepted Answer

The greatest priority to report when considering GI changes in a geriatric patient is their last bowel movement. Constipation is a common problem in older adults and can lead to more serious complications such as fecal impaction, bowel obstruction, and even infection. It is important to monitor bowel movements and intervene if necessary to prevent further complications. The other options listed are important assessments, but they do not pertain directly to GI changes.

Question 6

What is the best nursing action when assisting an older patient to relieve the discomfort of pruritus related to dry skin?&#10;A) Encourage the patient to talk to the primary care physician about the problem.&#10;B) Encourage the patient to take a tepid bath and use moisturizers.&#10;C) Teach the patient that pruritus is an expected consequence of aging.&#10;D) Establishing a medication regimen to control the discomfort.

Accepted Answer

Taking a tepid bath and using moisturizers can help relieve the discomfort of pruritus related to dry skin. Encouraging the patient to talk to the primary care physician or establishing a medication regimen may also be necessary, but taking basic steps to alleviate the dryness and itchiness of the skin is the first step. Teaching the patient that pruritus is an expected consequence of aging is not accurate and not helpful in relieving their discomfort.

Question 7

What factor increases the risk of respiratory infection for older adults?&#10;A) Decreased ciliary action&#10;B) Decreased physical activity&#10;C) Inadequate hydration&#10;D) Poor personal hygiene

Accepted Answer

Decreased ciliary action is a natural age-related change that can lead to a decreased ability to clear mucus and foreign particles from the respiratory tract, increasing the risk of respiratory infection for older adults.

Question 8

Which facts are generally accepted for most older adults?&#10;A) Intellectual capabilities are impaired.&#10;B) Functional brain activities decrease.&#10;C) Functional intellectual capability is maintained.&#10;D) Creativity and judgment are severely impaired.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that although some cognitive abilities, such as processing speed, may decline with age, functional intellectual capability is generally well preserved in older adults. Additionally, creativity and judgment may not be severely impaired and may even improve in some cases. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are not generally accepted for most older adults.

Question 9

A nurse is caring for an older person whose renal changes make it impossible to concentrate or dilute urine.For what is this patient at the greatest risk?&#10;A) Urinary infection&#10;B) Dehydration&#10;C) Incontinence&#10;D) Renal failure

Accepted Answer

Due to the inability to concentrate or dilute urine, the patient is at a greater risk of dehydration. The kidneys are not able to regulate water balance effectively, which can lead to a loss of fluid and electrolytes. This can cause dehydration and imbalances in the body, which can lead to further health issues.

Question 10

What is the most appropriate nursing action when planning activities to improve short-term memory for an older adult patient experiencing memory deficits?&#10;A) Maintain the same daily schedule.&#10;B) Rehearse memory training.&#10;C) Provide a varied and stimulating daily schedule.&#10;D) Conduct deep-breathing exercises.

Accepted Answer

Rehearsing memory training is the most appropriate nursing action when planning activities to improve short-term memory for an older adult patient experiencing memory deficits. This activity focuses specifically on memory improvement and can be tailored to the patient's individual needs and abilities. Maintaining the same daily schedule may be helpful to some extent in establishing routine, but it does not address memory deficits. Providing a varied and stimulating daily schedule can be beneficial for overall cognitive functioning, but may not specifically target short-term memory. Conducting deep-breathing exercises may be a helpful relaxation technique, but does not specifically address memory deficits.

Question 11

What is the best example of normal memory change or lapse of memory?&#10;A) Relying on another person to remember names or important events&#10;B) Occasional forgetfulness or inability to recall names or facts&#10;C) Difficulty in recalling recent events&#10;D) Difficulty in recalling past events

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the best example of normal...

Question 12

What should the nurse suspect a patient is developing when he is observed holding his Bible 6 inches from his face and turns his head to read out of the corner of his eyes?&#10;A) Cataracts&#10;B) Glaucoma&#10;C) Presbyopia&#10;D) Macular degeneration

Accepted Answer

The answer of What should the nurse suspect a patient...

Question 13

What does Butler, a well-known gerontologist, relay regarding ageism?&#10;A) It dehumanizes older individuals.&#10;B) It is based on the biologic theory of aging.&#10;C) It is based on natural and purposeful occurrences.&#10;D) It continues to change as the population ages.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Butler, a well-known gerontologist, relay...

Question 14

What is true regarding the chemosensory changes observed in older adults?&#10;A) They are directly related to the aging process.&#10;B) They are most often caused by disease.&#10;C) They begin in the fifth decade of life.&#10;D) They affect more women than men.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is true regarding the chemosensory changes...

Question 15

Which assessment made by the nurse is a major sign of renal changes related to age?&#10;A) Hematuria&#10;B) Nocturia&#10;C) Urgency incontinence&#10;D) Renal calculi

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which assessment made by the nurse is...

Question 16

What understanding is a prerequisite for a nurse working with the geriatric patient?&#10;A) Specialized knowledge is needed.&#10;B) Geriatric patients are physically impaired.&#10;C) Most geriatric patients will develop dementia.&#10;D) Geriatric patients need to be closely supervised.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What understanding is a prerequisite for a...

Question 17

What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with presbycusis?&#10;A) Speak clearly and distinctly while facing the patient.&#10;B) Announce your presence when entering the patient's room.&#10;C) Place needed articles within easy reach.&#10;D) Orient the patient to time and place as needed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most appropriate nursing intervention...

Question 18

What are the effects of aging on the nervous system?&#10;A) Accelerated loss of neurons in the brain&#10;B) Gradually declining loss of intellectual capability&#10;C) Decreased conduction speed of neurons&#10;D) Loss of long-term memory

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the effects of aging on...

Question 19

How is the term old age or aged best defined?&#10;A) Person's state of mind&#10;B) Person older than 65 years of age&#10;C) Process of growing older&#10;D) Person of advanced age

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is the term old age or...

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.What should the gerontological nurse assess as the reason for this behavior?

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 78-year-old resident of a long-term care...

Question 21

What is the best reason that drug toxicity can occur as a result of an age-related change in the liver?&#10;A) Increased liver size&#10;B) Decreased liver enzyme activity&#10;C) Rapid blood flow through the liver&#10;D) Fluid accumulation in the portal vein

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the best reason that drug...

Question 22

A newly admitted 72-year-old resident of a long-term care facility naps frequently during the day, stating that he is tired.What is the best action by the nurse?&#10;A) Obtain an order from the primary caregiver for a sedative.&#10;B) Ask the patient if he is sleeping well at night.&#10;C) Plan activities to keep the patient awake during the day.&#10;D) Tell the patient that he cannot take any more naps.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A newly admitted 72-year-old resident of a...

Question 23

What are included in age-related cardiovascular changes? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Decreased resting cardiac output&#10;B) Increased blood pressure&#10;C) Increased risk for heart attack&#10;D) Increased coronary blood flow&#10;E) Decreased rigidity of the heart

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are included in age-related cardiovascular changes?...

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.How should the nurse interpret this behavior?&#10;A) Stubbornness&#10;B) Depression&#10;C) Fear&#10;D) Exhaustion

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 77-year-old recently admitted to a long-term...

Deck 10: The Older Adult Patient