Deck 24: Older Persons

Question 1

A patient asks the nurse what the term polypharmacy means.The nurse defines this term as

A)Multiple side effects experienced when taking a medication.
B)The concurrent use of many medications.
C)The many adverse drug effects reported to the pharmacy.
D)The risks of medication effects due to aging.

Answer 1

The concurrent use of many medications.

Question 2

When comparing developmental tasks of middle-aged persons versus older persons,what should the nurse infer?

A)Learning to cope with loss is most common during the middle adult years.
B)After age 65,most older persons age both biologically and psychologically the same way.
C)Older persons will need nursing assistance to deal with loss.
D)Older persons fear and resent retirement as a disruption of their lifestyle.

Answer 2

Older persons will need nursing assistance to deal with loss.

Question 3

To promote physical well-being and socialization in an older person,what should the nurse realize?

A)Social isolationism is always a chosen behaviour.
B)Body image plays no role in decision making by the older person.
C)No community resources are focused on the older person.
D)Older persons may have a functional purpose in social arenas.

Answer 3

Older persons may have a functional purpose in social arenas.

Question 4

Several theories on aging have been put forth;how should the nurse use these theories?

A)To guide nursing care.
B)To explain the stochastic view of genetically programmed physiological changes.
C)To select one theory to guide nursing care for all geriatric patients.
D)To understand the nonstochastic views of aging as the result of cellular damage.

Question 5

As the aging population in Canada increases,which of the following is true?

A)The baby boomer generation accounts for a very small percentage of this group.
B)The average lifespan has also increased.
C)The population segment of people older than 85 is decreasing.
D)Diversity of this age group will certainly decrease.

Question 6

Which of these findings,if identified in a patient on a gerontological unit,would be most surprising to a culturally sensitive nurse?

A)The older person's not being functionally independent.
B)Preferences in food,music,and religion.
C)Use of conventions of the handshake,silence,and eye contact.
D)Personal health practices and spiritual resources.

Question 7

An older patient has fallen and broken his hip.As a consequence,the patient's family is concerned about his ability to care for himself,especially during his convalescence.What should the nurse do?

A)Stress that older patients usually ask for help when needed.
B)Inform the family that placement in a nursing centre is a permanent solution.
C)Tell the family to enroll the patient in a ceramics class to maintain his quality of life.
D)Provide information and answer questions as family members make choices among care options.

Question 8

Which of the following statements by a new graduate nurse should be corrected by an experienced nurse?

A)"Most older patients are ill and disabled.That's why we care for so many of them in the hospital."
B)"Many older persons are still interested in sexual relations."
C)"Patients over age 65 are still lifelong learners."
D)"Many older patients remain independent enough to live alone."

Question 9

A patient with gradual,progressive cognitive impairment (dementia)is admitted to the nursing unit after hip replacement surgery.Which of the following is a nursing care principle for care of cognitively impaired older persons?

A)Maintain physical health.
B)Evaluate the patient's manifestations of standard symptoms.
C)Assist patient with all ADLs.
D)Isolate patients to protect others.

Question 10

Which symptom is an expected cognitive change in the older person?

A)Disorientation.
B)Slower reaction time.
C)Poor judgement.
D)Loss of language skills.

Question 11

A male older patient expresses his concern and anxiety about decreased penile firmness during erection.What is the nurse's best response?

A)Explain that over time,his libido will decrease,as will the frequency of sexual activity.
B)Tell the patient to double his antidepressant medication to increase his libido.
C)Tell the patient that this change is expected in aging persons.
D)Tell the patient that touching should be avoided unless intercourse is planned.

Question 12

During assessment of an older person's skin integrity,expected findings include which of the following?

A)Decreased elasticity.
B)Oily skin.
C)Increased facial hair in men.
D)Faster nail growth.

Question 13

What is the best suggestion a nurse could make to a family requesting help in selecting a local nursing centre?

A)Suggest choosing a nursing centre that is as sanitary as possible.The closer the centre is to hospital standards,the better.
B)Have family members evaluate nursing home staff according to their ability to get tasks done efficiently.
C)Make sure that nursing home staff members get patients out of bed every day for the entire day.
D)Explain that it is probably best for the family to visit the centre and inspect it personally.

Question 14

A 70-year-old patient who suffers from worsening dementia is no longer able to live alone.When discussing health care services and possible long-term living arrangements with the patient's only son,what should the nurse suggest?

A)An apartment setting with neighbours close by.
B)Weekly home health visits.
C)A nursing centre because home care is no longer safe.
D)That placement is irrelevant because the patient is retreating to a place of inactivity.

Question 15

An 80-year-old male is brought to the emergency department with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).He states that he quit smoking 30 years ago,so it can't be COPD.He argues,"It's just these colds I've been getting.They're just getting worse and worse." The nurse understands that

A)These symptoms are more associated with normal aging than with disease.
B)Older persons should be encouraged to maintain physical exercise and activity.
C)The patient's age will require adjustment of lifestyle to one of inactivity.
D)Older persons usually are aware and accepting of the aging process.

Question 16

Which teaching strategy is best to utilize with older persons?

A)Provide several topics of discussion at once to promote independence and making choices.
B)Avoid uncomfortable silences after questions by helping patients complete their statements.
C)Ask patients to recall past experiences that correspond with their interests.
D)Speak in a high pitch to help patients hear better.

Question 17

An older patient in no acute distress reports being less able to taste and smell.What is the nurse's best response to this information?

A)Notify the physician immediately to rule out cranial nerve damage.
B)Perform testing on the vestibulocochlear nerve and a hearing test.
C)Schedule the patient for an appointment at a smell and taste disorders clinic.
D)Explain to the patient that diminished senses are normal findings.

Question 18

As a patient ages,how should the nursing plan of care change?

A)It should be standardized because all geriatric patients have the same needs.
B)It needs to be individualized according to the patient's unique needs.
C)It should be based on chronological age alone.
D)It focuses on the disabilities that all aging persons face.

Question 19

How would the nurse correctly describe psychosocial theories on aging?

A)As theories that describe changes in roles and relationships in older persons.
B)As theories that emphasize that all adults age in similar ways.
C)As theories that stress the need for older people to discontinue activities as they age.
D)As theories that describe behaviour patterns for all aging persons as unpredictable.

Question 20

An outcome for an older patient living alone is to be free from falls.Which of these statements by a patient indicates that teaching on safety concerns has been effective?

A)"I'll leave my throw rugs in place so that my feet won't touch the cold tile."
B)"I'll take my time getting up from the bed or chair."
C)"I should wear my favourite smooth bottom socks to protect my feet when walking around."
D)"I will have my son dim the lighting outside to decrease the glare in my eyes."

Question 21

A 72-year-old woman was recently widowed.She worked as a teller at a bank for 40 years and has been retired for the past 5 years.She never learned how to drive.She lives in a rural area that does not have public transportation.Which of the following psychosocial changes does the nurse focus on as a priority?

A)Sexuality.
B)Housing and environment.
C)Retirement.
D)Social isolation.

Question 22

An older patient has developed acute confusion.The patient has been on tranquilizers for the past week.The patient's vital signs are normal.What should the nurse do?

A)Take into account age-related changes in body systems that affect pharmacokinetic activity.
B)Increase the dose of tranquilizer if the cause of the confusion is an infection.
C)Note when the confusion occurs and medicate before that time.
D)Restrict telephone usage to prevent further confusion.

Question 23

One of the greatest challenges for the nurse caring for older persons is ensuring safe medication use.One way to reduce the risks associated with medication usage is to

A)Periodically review the patient's list of medications.
B)Inform the patient that polypharmacy is to be avoided at all cost.
C)Be aware that medication is absorbed the same way regardless of patient age.
D)Focus only on prescribed medications.

Question 24

Which of these assessments of an older adult,who has a urinary tract infection,requires an immediate nursing intervention?

A)Presbycusis.
B)Confusion.
C)Death of a spouse 3 months ago.
D)Temperature of 36.4°C (97.6°F).

Question 25

A recently widowed 80-year-old male is dehydrated and is admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluid replacement.During the evening shift,the patient becomes acutely confused.The nurse's best action is to assess the patient for which of the following reversible causes? (Select all that apply. )

A)Electrolyte imbalance.
B)Hypoglycemia.
C)Drug effects.
D)Dementia.
E)Cerebral anoxia.

Question 26

Which of these patient statements is the most reliable indicator that an older person has the correct understanding of health promotion activities?

A)"I need to increase my fat intake and limit protein."
B)"I should discontinue my fitness club membership for safety reasons."
C)"I'm up to date on my immunizations,but at my age,I don't need the tetanus vaccine."
D)"I still keep my dentist appointments even though I have partials now."