Deck 10: Life Span: Older Adults

Question 1

A client is concerned about the age-related changes of the client's mother, who is 80 years old. Which statements made by the client likely represent a normal change of aging? Select all that apply.
1)"My mother seems to get cold very easily."
2)"My mother complains of her mouth being dry."
3)"My mother goes around the house turning on all the lights."
4)"My mother complains of urine leaking when she coughs."
5)"My mother will only eat the food she personally prepares."

Answer 1

1, 2, 3

Question 2

A white female patient who is 75 years of age states, "I've heard that women live to an older age than men. My husband and I are the same age, so I am afraid I will have to spend some years without him. This really worries me." Which answer by the nurse is based on correct information?
1)"That is a realistic concern as women do have a longer life expectancy than men. But many things can happen to change that."
2)"You need not worry because both you and your husband are white. That statistic is true only for black men and women."
3)"It is true that women have a longer life expectancy at birth. However, life expectancy measured at age 65 is almost the same for both sexes. You are both well past 6
4)"That is true only in certain geographical areas, such as those with a high population of newly retired persons."
5)"

Answer 2

3

Question 3

A healthy client who is 80 years of age sees the nurse practitioner at the doctor's office. The client states, "I sit around a lot, and now I notice my legs seem to get tired when I walk." Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
1)"This indicates you don't have as good circulation as you did when you were younger."
2)"How do you feel about joining a regular exercise program at the senior center?"
3)"You will need to speak to the doctor about this; your age may cause health problems."
4)"Have you thought about using a cane or a walker to help you get around better?"

Answer 3

2

Question 4

A patient who is 85 years of age is admitted through the emergency department for confusion and disorientation. The family states, "We don't know what is wrong. He has been fine at home. This confusion just started 2 days ago and seems like it is getting worse." What is the most appropriate first response for the nurse to make?
1)"We will have to place him in temporary restraints for safety purposes."
2)"Can you tell me about his home medications and other illnesses he has?"
3)"Sometimes older people become more confused when they are away from home."
4)"He is 85 years old, and this is the age when Alzheimer's disease begins."

Question 5

The nurse works in a geriatric clinic where Havighurst's activity theory is applied to the clientele. The nurse recognizes which as the physical, cognitive, and social developmental tasks of older adults? Select all that apply.
1)Older adults and society gradually and mutually withdraw or disengage from each other.
2)The older adult accepts that life has had meaning and death is part of the continuum of life.
3)Older adults need to focus on adjusting to their decreasing physical strength and health.
4)The older adult accepts the need for establishing satisfactory physical living arrangements.
5)Older adults will need to adjust to retirement and the impact of a lower income on living.

Question 6

A client who lives alone is very weak, stays in bed most of the time, and becomes fatigued after taking only two or three steps with a walker. The client's personal hygiene is poor. The client moves very slowly even during performance of small tasks, such as eating a meal. Which are appropriate interventions for this patient? Select all that apply.
1)Arrange for a home aide to assist with activities of daily living.
2)Refer the client to a senior center for an adapted physical activity program.
3)Assess the patient for symptoms of depression and memory loss.
4)Arrange for nutritious meals to be delivered to the patient's home.
5)Make arrangements for admission into an assisted care facility.

Question 7

The nurse is interviewing a new client at the community geriatric clinic. The client is in the young-old age range but seems to have multiple issues with pain and physical functioning. The client states, "I have always been active and athletic. Now I hardly feel like doing anything because of pain." Which theory of aging is the nurse likely to apply to the client?
1)Genetic theories
2)Wear and tear theory
3)Cellular malfunction
4)Autoimmune reaction

Question 8

Which nursing intervention is most helpful for an older adult client with dementia who exhibits moderate to severe cognitive impairment?
1)Attempt the application of humor to elevate the client's mood.
2)Explore reasons for the client's altered cognitive function.
3)Increase environmental stimuli to redirect the client's attention.
4)Use reminiscence so the client recalls memories and maintains social interaction.

Question 9

The nurse is interviewing an older adult client who verbally expresses a personal dilemma about staying in the client's own home or seeking residence in an age-friendly residence. Which information does the nurse seek to determine if the client is suited to this type of change?
1)The financial status of the client to relocate
2)The support available from the client's family
3)The client's ability to live closely with others
4)The current level of the client's independence

Question 10

A couple who is considered middle-old adults is moving out of state to be closer to family members. Which residence is considered most appropriate for this couple?
1)Second story apartment with safety bars in the bathrooms
2)Small two-bedroom home close to a shopping center and a church
3)One-level living area condominium with good lighting inside and outside
4)Two-level living area condominium close to family members

Question 11

The nurse works at a geriatric clinic. The nurse recognizes which situation as the most common major challenge for older adults?
1)Dealing with the needs of their children
2)Chronic health problems causing loss of independence
3)Loss of the ability to reminisce about the past
4)Decline of intellectual abilities

Question 12

The nurse is planning a teaching workshop at the local community center for a group of men and women who are considered young-old. Which information is most important for the nurse to include at the workshop?
1)A booklet on heart disease and diabetes
2)Planning leisure activities and exercise
3)How to stay connected with family members
4)A list of doctors in the community

Question 13

The nurse is providing care for a 75-year-old patient on the medical-surgical unit. The patient states, "I hope I can go home soon. I want to get back to the gym. I like to do a little walking on the treadmill and lift some light weights." Which response by the nurse demonstrates the use of ageism?
1)"That's great. I should go to the gym more often myself."
2)"Exercising is important, but concentrate on your illness for now."
3)"At your age, you need to be careful with exercise and avoid injuries."
4)"Follow up with your doctor on how much activity you can do when you get home."

Question 14

The home care nurse suspects physical and emotional abuse of an adult client identified as middle-old. Which is the primary nursing intervention for an older adult who is a victim of abuse?
1)Assess the scope of the problem.
2)Analyze the family dynamics.
3)Ensure the safety of the victim.
4)Teach the victim coping skills.

Question 15

Which factor reflects the nurse's understanding of the characteristics of older adults?
1)Fewer than 5% of all older adults live in nursing homes.
2)Average life expectancy at birth has declined slightly during the past 10 years.
3)In general, males tend to live longer than do females.
4)Black men have the lowest life expectancy, but the gap decreases as a person ages.

Question 16

The home health nurse is seeing a patient who is 80 years of age for the first time. In developing a home plan of care, which is the nurse's highest priority for this visit?
1)Assessing the proximity of family members
2)Planning for provision of a nutritious diet
3)Planning activities for functional status
4)Assessing the home for environment safety

Question 17

The nurse is preparing a presentation for older adults regarding alternative living options. Which best describes an assisted living facility (ALF)?
1)Residence that provides 24-hour supervision and assistance with scheduled and unscheduled activities
2)An aging-in-place residence that provides services to meet the increasing needs of the resident
3)A facility that provides skilled and nonskilled nursing services to residents with disabilities
4)Residence that accepts only Medicare and Medicaid for persons 65 years and older

Question 18

The nurse works as a home visiting nurse for older adult client. Which risk factors for physical abuse of this population does the nurse recognize? Select all that apply.
1)Socioeconomic status below the poverty level
2)Residence in low-income housing
3)Physical and mental impairment
4)Frequent visits to respite care
5)Deterioration as a young-old person

Question 19

The nurse in the local nursing home is planning a memory activity for the older adult residents. Which is the most effective activity the nurse might use to enhance memory?
1)Reading a book
2)Reading the newspaper
3)Baking a cake
4)Doing a crossword puzzle

Question 20

The adult child of a patient who is 82 years of age tells the nurse, "When I ask my dad to do something, it takes him a long time to respond to me. But he does do what I ask." Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
1)"At this age, your dad does not have the same intelligence he had when he was younger."
2)"He may be embarrassed because it is difficult for him to learn new things at this age."
3)"Reaction time slows in older adults, so it takes him more time to process your requests."
4)"It is likely that some dementia is developing because this is a normal occurrence in his age group."

Question 21

The nurse is preparing to teach an older woman strategies to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Which interventions does the nurse include as part of the teaching plan? Select all that apply.
1)Begin a daily walking regimen.
2)Take supplemental hormones.
3)Avoid cigarette smoking.
4)Increase calcium in the diet.
5)Start non-weight-bearing exercises.

Question 22

The nurse practitioner is performing an annual physical examination on a female client who is 86 years old. Which assessments are most important for the nurse to include in the client's examination? Select all that apply.
1)Height and weight
2)Papanicolaou (Pap) test
3)Colon cancer screening
4)Gait and balance
5)Screening mammogram

Question 23

The nurse is aware that health promotion activities for all older adults include teaching about and facilitating for which immunizations? Select all that apply.
1)Pneumonia
2)Measles and mumps
3)Influenza
4)Herpes zoster
5)Varicella

Question 24

Many older adults suffer from chronic health problems. Which are the most common and costly chronic problems in the older adult? Select all that apply.
1)Heart disease
2)Diabetes
3)Alzheimer's disease
4)Pneumonia
5)Obesity

Question 25

The home health nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is 76 years of age. Which primary nursing goals does the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply.
1)Maintain the patient's independent functioning as much and for as long as possible.
2)Teach the patient and caregivers how and when to call for professional help.
3)Arrange for appropriate care and equipment that is needed in the home.
4)Teach the patient and family strategies to reduce caregiver role strain.
5)Provide information about community activities of interest to the older adult.

Question 26

The nurse suspects that an older adult patient may have difficulty hearing. Prior to validating a hearing problem, which strategies does the nurse use in communicating with this patient? Select all that apply.
1)Look directly at the patient when speaking.
2)Pace speech more slowly than usual.
3)Speak loudly toward the patient's ears.
4)Allow some extra time for the patient to respond.
5)Rely on body language more than usual.