Deck 54: The Older Adult

Question 1

Which of the following is a recommendation for patients in caring for edentulous mouths?

A) Rinse with any over-the-counter mouth rinse at night.
B) Use a washcloth once a week to cleanse mouth.
C) Use a soft toothbrush twice daily to cleanse mouth tissues and tongue.
D) Rinse with an antimicrobial mouth rinse twice a day.

Answer 1

Use a soft toothbrush twice daily to cleanse mouth tissues and tongue.

Question 2

Which of the following best accounts for the significant demographic increases in the number of older individuals?

A) Increases in life expectancy
B) Increases in life span
C) Increases in fertility rates
D) Decreases in medical technology

Answer 2

Increases in life expectancy

Question 3

Which of the following represents adaptations made during care to compensate for hearing deficits that are often associated with aging?

A) Speaking more loudly
B) Increasing noise level in office
C) Communicating with caregivers rather than with patient
D) Looking directly at the patient and speaking clearly

Answer 3

Looking directly at the patient and speaking clearly

Question 4

Which of the following is true regarding the risk for caries in older adults?

A) Root caries rather than coronal caries are the primary problem in older adults.
B) Caries rate slows as individuals age.
C) Recent studies have shown that older adults have caries rates greater than the adult population.
D) Most caries seen in older adults are recurrent,around existing restorations.

Question 5

How frequently is chronic atrophic candidiasis,commonly known as denture sore mouth,seen in older adults?

A) Rarely;in less than 10% of patients
B) In about 25% of patients,particularly in immunocompromised patients
C) Commonly;in about 65% of patients
D) Very frequently;in about 90% of patients

Question 6

Which of the following is a recommendation for patients caring for their dentures?

A) Brush with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
B) Brush with mild soap,and soak dentures overnight.
C) Brush before bed,and reinsert to ensure proper fit overnight.

Question 7

Which of the following activities are tailored to older patients who need adaptations to accommodate physical disabilities?

A) Recommending a powered toothbrush to assist in brushing
B) Dimming lights to make reading easier
C) Recommending that a caregiver complete oral hygiene so the patient will not tire
D) Oversimplifying instructions owing to cognitive declines that accompany physical changes
E) All of the above

Question 8

Which of the following is a good recommendation for older individuals who are at risk for periodontal disease?

A) Use a powered toothbrush.
B) Schedule frequent visits for professional debridement.
C) Use antimicrobial products to reduce plaque and gingivitis.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 9

Which of the following is true regarding edentulousness in older adults?

A) Rates have declined dramatically,from 55% in 1957 to 30% in 1997.
B) Higher rates are seen in higher-income individuals because they can afford care.
C) Rate is not forecast to decline significantly in the future.
D) Rates will stabilize and remain at about 30% of older adults based on Healthy People 2010 targets.

Question 10

Which of the following is a recommendation for patients with medication-induced xerostomia?

A) Increase intake of fluids,such as sports drinks and fruit juices.
B) Use high-dose 2.0% sodium fluoride gel.
C) Use lemon candy to stimulate saliva.
D) Reduce medication use to decrease dry mouth.