Deck 20: Older Adults

Question 1

A nurse-educator is teaching a first year nursing course about the health and characteristics of the older adult in Canada.In developing a demographic "snapshot," what would the students determine about this population?

A)They are frail and vulnerable to disease.
B)They are unable to live independently.
C)Males are more likely to have lost their spouse.
D)Most are be married females.

Answer 1

Most are be married females.

Question 2

Mrs.Christopolis,81,has brought her medications with her to the clinic and tells the nurse that she has been experiencing some side effects.What should the nurse understand about medication use in Mrs.Christopolis's age group?

A)Fewer drugs are needed,as many chronic conditions do not respond to pharmacological measures.
B)Side-effects are expected in the elderly,and the nurse can help the client cope with them.
C)Drugs can be easily mixed with over-the-counter (OTC)medications for optimal benefit.
D)Medications are absorbed into the body and slowly excreted,leading to higher risk of side-effects.

Answer 2

Medications are absorbed into the body and slowly excreted,leading to higher risk of side-effects.

Question 3

A nurse is teaching a wellness class for older adults.In order to address the sensory loss that accompanies the aging process,what should the nurse recommend to these clients?

A)Use hearing aids and glasses
B)Wear shaded glasses indoors to reduce glare
C)Switch to brighter lighting in the home
D)Exercise more and eat higher amounts of calcium

Answer 3

Switch to brighter lighting in the home

Question 4

When providing health teaching for an older client with osteoporosis,what information should the nurse include?

A)To prevent stress fractures,avoid long walks
B)Tell the client to eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D
C)Remind the client to have a yearly bone scan
D)Anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for joint stiffness

Question 5

A nurse is interviewing an elderly client who is reminiscing about his work in the military.Which of the following statements could indicate the client's attainment of Kohlberg's preconventional level of moral development?

A)"The fighting was terrible,but is was our duty to stay and do what was right."
B)"Although it was against the rules to share our rations,children needed them more than we did."
C)"I did what I was told because my dad was in the military,and I knew he was watching my career."
D)"I joined the military because it was the best job I could get during the depression."

Question 6

Which eye changes cause most older people to have difficulty adjusting to near-sightedness (presbyopia)?

A)Decreased dietary intake of calcium
B)Bilateral deposition of orbital fat
C)A loss of lens flexibility
D)An increase in pupil diameter

Question 7

Mr.Etsitty,71,is being discharged to his home in a remote community in central British Columbia using telehealth and telemedicine to support him during his recovery.His son is concerned that his father is too old to learn the necessary technology.How should the nurse respond?

A)Connect the family with someone who is technologically adept in his home community
B)Reassure the family about the technology,ask Mr.Etsitty his opinion,and provide teaching
C)Give the family pamphlets on telemedicine to take with them upon discharge
D)Consider keeping Mr.Etsitty in hospital until he is completely recovered

Question 8

An elderly male client comes to the clinic and states to the nurse that he hasn't been interested in sexual intercourse lately.What should the nurse understand about decreased sexual interest in elderly men?

A)It does decrease and gradually disappears.
B)It should not be taken as seriously as if the client were a younger person.
C)It is caused by decreased hormone activity and there is little that can be done about it.
D)It decreases but does not disappear.

Question 9

Where can a Canadian nurse attain national certification in gerontological nursing?

A)World Health Organization
B)Canadian Nurses Association
C)The local health authority
D)Health Canada

Question 10

In planning any health program at a local community health centre,the nurse will implement Erikson's theory of task development.What should the nurse realize about the successful completion of the tasks in the older adult?

A)They have a feeling of satisfaction from past accomplishments.
B)Making connections with the younger generation is important to them.
C)Many wish they had their life to live over again.
D)They live out their last years in good physical health.

Question 11

According to Erikson's developmental theory,which of the following people will likely be successful in retirement?

A)Mrs.Hamilton,53,a mother who felt success through her children's accomplishments
B)Mr.Wu,63,a businessman who held his job and work status as the defining feature of his life
C)Mrs.Sequoria,a teacher who maintained a balance between work and home
D)Mr.Anniston,a doctor who planned to really enjoy life once he retired

Question 12

How does disengagement theory explain psychosocial aging?

A)A gradual decrease in interactions between the individual and society
B)Maintenance of preferred behaviours,habits,and values as one ages
C)Physical and mental activity to prevent the untoward effects of aging
D)Establishment of new activities to replace those no longer physically possible

Question 13

Mrs.Poitra,76,is reporting gastrointestinal problems,including frequent constipation and indigestion.She has not had any recent weight loss.What should the nurse realize about these symptoms?

A)They indicate a concern and could be caused by cancer.
B)An upper and lower gastrointestinal X-ray series is needed.
C)They could be related to normal changes in muscle tone and activity.
D)They are probably indicative of a gastric ulcer or colitis.

Question 14

What term best describes a decrease in bone density along with an increased brittleness of the bones?

A)Osteoarthritis
B)Presbycusis
C)Osteoporosis
D)Kyphosis

Question 15

A nurse is assessing Mr.Toms,79,for admission into an assisted living complex,using Erikson's stages of development as a framework.Which comment by Mr.Toms would indicate satisfactory resolution of the central task of integrity versus despair?

A)"I wish I could live my life over again.I'd do it better next time around."
B)"I won't be attending the activities here - it just isn't my style."
C)"I know my life is coming to a close,but it has been a good one."
D)"I know I'm checking in here,but I'm still not sure it is the right place for me."

Question 16

A home health nurse notes four assessment findings on 72-year-old Mrs.Kalinowski.Which finding may be indicative of a developing problem?

A)Flat brown spots on the back of the hands
B)A palpable uterus
C)Non-elastic skin
D)Thinning hair

Question 17

A nurse is presenting a health education program to a group of older adults at a senior citizens centre.Considering the physiological changes of this age group,how should the temperature of the room be set?

A)It should be set at a temperature that is comfortable for the nurse.
B)Temperature of the room is not one of the nurse's concerns.
C)It should be set warmer than the nurse's preference.
D)It should be set cooler than what is comfortable for the nurse.

Question 18

Mr.Docherty,78,who lives alone,frequently complains of being cold even with a room temperature of 20°C.How can this be explained?

A)Mr.Docherty has become confused and thinks it is colder than it really is.
B)He is probably feeling lonely and wants some attention.
C)There may be a malfunction of the heat-regulating mechanism in his brain.
D)Mr.Docherty has lost subcutaneous fat and muscle tissue as he aged.

Question 19

Mr.Okerkirk,81,comes to the clinic for follow-up after a long hospitalization.When he asks about increasing his strength and endurance,how should the nurse respond?

A)"Your muscles can be strengthened which might help you function better."
B)"It won't matter if you exercise.At your age,there's little room for improvement."
C)"Once muscle mass is decreased,there's nothing that can be done for strength improvement."
D)"Maybe you should think about going to a nursing home where people can help with your needs."

Question 20

Mr.Sinnis,a 70-year-old retired postal worker,tells a nurse that he has developed brown spots on his hands and face,which his physician told him are called lentigo senilis,and not to be concerned.He is worried that it might be skin cancer because he hadn't always had them.What is the nurse's best response?

A)Tell him not to be concerned because these are easily-cured premalignant lesions
B)Recommend that they be removed because they have the potential of becoming cancerous
C)Explain that the spots are not cancer,but age spots,a normal change that occurs with aging
D)Ask him what his doctor said about the lesions

Question 21

A nurse is helping a potential home health client acquire the supplies that will be needed once the client is discharged from acute care.When considering these supplies,what should the nurse remember?

A)Provincial or territorial health plans will cover supplies,but only with a physician's written order.
B)Between insurance supplements and provincial or territorial health plans,the elderly client shouldn't have any difficulty with coverage.
C)Most clients in this age group live on a fixed income,and supplies used should be as economical as possible.
D)Hospitals have to be responsible for providing needed medical supplies after discharge.

Question 22

Mr.Labinski,72,recently returned from volunteer work in Africa,where he takes great joy in helping others.The nurse thinks that he may have achieved Fowler's sixth stage of spiritual development.What is this stage called?

A)Postconventional
B)Universalizing
C)Integrity
D)Continuity

Question 23

A nurse who works in a long-term care facility has noticed that Mrs.Valentine,77,has been forgetting names and has not been performing personal care as usual.What action should the nurse take?

A)No action is required,as memory loss is a normal,age-related change.
B)The nurse should investigate for possible physiologic problems.
C)The nurse should have Mrs.Valentine sent to hospital for a mental status examination.
D)The nurse should inform the resident's family that the resident probably has some form of dementia.

Question 24

In helping residents in an assisted living complex deal with the deaths of several residents in the facility,the nurse understands that adjustment may be easier for which of the following residents who just lost their partner?

A)Someone who spent most of her days attending to her partner who is now deceased
B)A resident who had a wide circle of friends,besides her spouse
C)Someone who was not inclined to participate in any activities offered at the facility
D)A resident who started to become more dependent on the nursing staff at the facility

Question 25

A client has been diagnosed with dementia.The family wants to know how to plan for the future.Which of the following would be the preferred response by the nurse?

A)"Although the symptoms will get worse,there are medications to stop the progress."
B)"You should make plans regarding preferred long-term care facilities you will want to utilize."
C)"Dementia is a progressive deterioration; you should be able to recognize symptoms."
D)"Dementia can be successfully treated once the cause is known."

Question 26

Elderly clients are at risk for developing dementia as well as delirium.Which of the following statements is correct?

A)Delirium is an acute and reversible syndrome.
B)Dementia is reversible and treatable.
C)Delirium is easily distinguished from dementia.
D)Dementia can be caused by sensory overload,sensory deprivation,and adverse drug interactions.

Question 27

The community health nurse is providing information to elderly clients in the community regarding health tests and screening.Which of the following would be recommended for these clients?

A)Yearly mammograms until the age of 79
B)Annual influenza vaccine
C)HPV vaccine series
D)Testicular ultrasound every 2 years

Question 28

Mr.Portenelli,72,has had Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (SDAT)for a period of time and continues to live at home with his wife.Which of the following is the nurse's responsibility?

A)Ensure that the client is getting appropriate rehabilitation to halt the progress of the illness
B)Provide support,accurate information,and referral assistance for his wife
C)Provide activities such as crossword puzzles to slow the progression of the SDAT
D)Insist that the family find a suitable long-term care facility for the client