Deck 20: Health Planning for Older Adults

Question 1

A nurse educator is having a discussion with students about the aging of the U.S. population. Which of the following are possible reasons for why our lifespan is increasing? Select all that apply.

A)Decreased education
B)Better access to quality health care
C)Increased average income
D)Improved physical environment
E)Increased urbanization

Answer 1

Better access to quality health care
Increased average income
Improved physical environment
Increased urbanization

Question 2

A nurse has noticed an increase in the number of older patients in the community coming down with pneumonia from influenza each winter. In addition to increasing access to the influenza vaccine each winter, which intervention would address the biggest risk factor associated with developing pneumonia for this particular age group?

A)Increasing hand washing
B)Improving nutrition by increasing access to healthy foods and prepared meals
C)Getting more restorative sleep
D)Increasing exercise through community programs

Answer 2

Improving nutrition by increasing access to healthy foods and prepared meals

Question 3

A nurse is looking to create program with the community that addresses keys to promoting healthy aging. Which of the following should she consider that has a primary prevention focus? Select all that apply.

A)A social activity such as the "senior" prom with persons living in an independent living community
B)An immunization program
C)A colorectal screening program
D)A blood glucose monitoring program for persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
E)An exercise program for persons with arthritis and joint problems

Answer 3

A social activity such as the "senior" prom with persons living in an independent living community
An immunization program

Question 4

A nurse has set up a workshop in the senior community center to teach the residents who are newly diagnosed with diabetes how to manage their disease and inject insulin. The nurse documents this on the paperwork to the nursing manager as which type of intervention?

A)Primary prevention
B)Secondary prevention
C)Tertiary prevention
D)Universal prevention

Question 5

A nursing director has instituted mandatory alcohol and illegal drug screening and history for all new admissions, including older adults. The director knows that long-term use of alcohol can put patients at risk for which of the following? Select all that apply.

A)Cardiomyopathy
B)Pancreatitis
C)Gallbladder dysfunction
D)Hypertension
E)Throat cancer

Question 6

A nurse is beginning a new position with a home-care agency that provides hospice care. The nurse learns that the primary role of the nurse providing hospice care is to:

A)Provide for the patient's medical needs at the end of life.
B)Help the patient stay active until their death.
C)Assist the patient and family through the dying process and toward a good death.
D)Provide hygiene and personal care when the family is unable to perform these skills.

Question 7

A nurse is training new staff at a senior residential community about ways to help the residents age well. According to the nurse, the most important thing that volunteers and staff can do is:

A)Assist them with their activities of daily living.
B)Provide ample time to rest and relax.
C)Keep them socially engaged and active.
D)Minimize stress and responsibilities.

Question 8

A nurse is working in the emergency department and brings an older woman into triage. The woman's daughter, with whom she lives, accompanies her. The older woman came to the emergency department for shortness of breath, but on closer inspection, is covered with scabies and bed bug bites. After admitting her for evaluation, what should the nurse do first?

A)Arrange for a dermatology consult.
B)Review proper skin care and hygiene with the daughter.
C)Report suspected elder neglect to adult protective services (APS).
D)Screen the patient for possible elder maltreatment using the geriatric assessment instrument.

Question 9

A nurse is performing an admissions assessment on a 93-year-old woman with abdominal pain. The woman is unable to remember certain facts about her medical history or current medications. What is the nurse's first step?

A)Document her as slightly forgetful, consistent with age.
B)Inform the physician about her declining mental status.
C)Conduct further screening to determine mental status and memory.
D)Speak with the physician about ordering medication for dementia.

Question 10

A nurse is presenting a lecture about the theories of aging and how to potentially treat the elderly according to the various theories. A student mentions hearing that enzyme CoQ10 could be effective in delaying the signs of aging. What theory does this address?

A)Free-radical theory
B)Cross-linkage theory
C)Protein synthesis errors
D)Genetic theories

Question 11

A home health nurse regularly sees older adults being cared for in their home by family members. As part of her health assessment at each visit the nurse must also include:

A)Caregiver stress and burnout.
B)Financial responsibilities.
C)Health insurance status.
D)Expected needs over the coming year.

Question 12

A nurse is describing aging according to the Rowe and Kahn Model of Successful Aging to a class of new nursing students. Which of the following is not one of their key components of successful aging?

A)Low likelihood of disease and disability
B)Actively engaged with life
C)Minimal stress and loss
D)High functioning ability, both cognitive and physical

Question 13

A nurse is admitting a new patient into the hospice program. A key consideration that establishes rapport and helps develop a patient/family centered plan for end-of-life care and decisions is:

A)The culture and heritage of the patient.
B)Mental status and competence.
C)Patient's physical health status.
D)Health-care benefits.

Question 14

A nurse is teaching a class about caring for the aging population and the increase in lifespan. Which of the following statements is correct?

A)Super centenarians are people who have lived to be over 100 years old.
B)Lifespan reflects the shift in the distribution of a country's population towards older ages.
C)Aging is a product of both chronological age and biological age.
D)Globally, chronological age is an accurate marker of aging.

Question 15

A naturally occurring retirement community is defined as:

A)A community that provides housing and health care across the continuum from independent living to skilled nursing care.
B)Residential housing with supports, transportation, individual assessment and coordination of nonprofessional service.
C)Community-based health promotion programs aimed at improving quality of life of older adults while maintaining them in their own home.
D)A residential facility that provides skilled nursing care to those in need of rehabilitation or long term care.

Question 16

A nurse is working at a specialized clinic for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Each year, the nurse recommends that patients get the influenza vaccine from their primary care provider, but notices that there are a lot of older women who do not get the vaccine, despite the recommendations. What should the nurse do first?

A)Print educational materials about the importance of yearly flu shots.
B)Set up low-cost transportation to local primary care providers for the women.
C)Start offering the flu shot at the COPD clinic.
D)Perform a focused community assessment to determine why these women aren't getting the flu shot.

Question 17

Two nurses are talking about the number of patients that are admitted to the hospital each week due to falls in the home. They decide to partner up with the local senior center to design a community program aimed at reducing falls in the senior population. Which of the following interventions would likely be most effective?

A)Create printed material that the seniors can take home and use to assess their home.
B)Train volunteers to go into the homes of seniors at high risk for falls to assess their homes and help improve the home environment.
C)Provide an exercise program in the community center to increase agility and balance.
D)Pair up seniors at high risk with a volunteer caretaker who can help with chores and run errands.