Deck 10: Life Span: Older Adults

Question 1

Which nursing intervention is most helpful for a client with Alzheimer's disease who has cognitive impairment?

A) Attempt humor to elevate the client's mood
B) Explore reasons for the client's altered cognitive function
C) Increase environmental stimuli to redirect the client's attention
D) Use reminiscence to help the client recall memories and maintain social interaction

Answer 1

Use reminiscence to help the client recall memories and maintain social interaction

Question 2

The home health nurse is seeing an 80-year-old patient for the first time at his home.In developing a home plan of care,what is the nurse's highest priority for this visit?

A) Assessing the proximity of family members
B) Planning for a nutritious diet
C) Planning activities for functional status
D) Assessing the home for safety

Answer 2

Assessing the home for safety

Question 3

A 78-year-old couple is moving out of state to be closer to family members.Which of the following residences is most appropriate for this couple?

A) Second story apartment with safety bars in the bathrooms
B) Small two-bedroom home close to shopping center and church
C) One-level living area condominium with good lighting inside and outside
D) Two-level living area condominium close to family members

Answer 3

One-level living area condominium with good lighting inside and outside

Question 4

An older adult patient with dementia is seen at the clinic for a physical examination.The son tells the nurse,"I don't know how much more of this I can do.There is so much work involved in just getting my dad out of bed in the morning,and I can't communicate with him.I'm just so tired." The nurse recognizes that the son is most likely experiencing:

A) Symptoms of depression
B) Caregiver role strain
C) Serious frustration
D) Resentment over being the only care provider

Question 5

Which of the following reflects an understanding of the characteristics of older adults?

A) Fewer than 5% of all older adults live in nursing homes.
B) Average life expectancy at birth has declined slightly during the past 10 years.
C) In general, males tend to live longer than do females.
D) Black men have the lowest life expectancy, but the gap decreases as a person ages.

Question 6

The new nursing student is caring 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 nursing student demonstrates the use of ageism?

A) "That's great. I should go to the gym more often myself."
B) "Exercising is important but you need to concentrate on your illness while you are here."
C) "At your age, you need to be careful with exercise."
D) "Follow up with your doctor on how much activity you will be able to do when you get home.

Question 7

A client is concerned about the age-related changes of her mother,who is 80 years old.Which statement(s)made by the client would likely represent a normal change of aging? Select all that apply.

A) "My mother seems to get cold very easily."
B) "My mother complains of her mouth being dry."
C) "Mother goes around the house turning on all the lights."
D) "Mother complains of leaking urine when she coughs."

Question 8

Which of the following best describes an assisted living facility (ALF)?

A) Residence that provides 24-hour supervision and assistance with scheduled and unscheduled activities
B) An aging in place residence that provides increasing services to meet the increasing needs of the resident
C) A facility that provides skilled and non-skilled nursing services to residents with disabilities
D) Residence for persons 65 years and older that only accepts Medicare and Medicaid.

Question 9

An 80-year-old healthy male sees the nurse practitioner at the doctor's office.He states,"I sit around a lot and now I notice my legs seem to get tired when I walk." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

A) "You don't have as good circulation as you did when you were younger. Be sure you take rests."
B) "How do you feel about joining a regular exercise program at the senior center?"
C) "You will need to speak to the doctor about this."
D) "Have you thought about using a cane or walker?"

Question 10

A 75-year-old white female patient says,"I've heard that women live to an older age than men do.My husband and I are the same age,so I am afraid I will have to spend some years without him.That really worries me." Which answer is based on correct information?

A) "That is a realistic concern, as women do have a longer life expectancy than men. But many things can happen to change that."
B) "You need not worry because both you and your husband are white. That statistic is true only for black men and women."
C) "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 65."
D) "That is true only in certain geographical areas, such as those with a high population of newly retired persons."

Question 11

A client lives alone.He is very weak,stays in bed most of the time,and becomes fatigued after taking only two or three steps with a walker.His personal hygiene is poor.He moves very slowly when doing even small tasks such as eating a meal.Which of the following are appropriate interventions for this patient? Select all that apply.

A) Arrange for a home aide to assist with activities of daily living.
B) Refer the client to a senior center for an adapted physical activity program.
C) Assess the patient for symptoms of depression and memory loss.
D) Arrange for nutritious meals to be delivered to the patient's home.

Question 12

The nurse is planning a teaching workshop at the local community center for a group of 66-year-old men and women.What information is most important to include at the workshop?

A) A booklet on heart disease and diabetes
B) Planning leisure activities and exercise
C) How to stay connected with family members
D) A list of doctor names in the community

Question 13

Risk factors for physical abuse of older adults include which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Socioeconomic status below the poverty level
B) Residence in low-income housing
C) Impairment of the older adult
D) Frequent visits to respite care

Question 14

The nurse in the local nursing home is planning a memory activity for the older adult residents.What is the most effective activity she might use to enhance memory?

A) Reading a book
B) Reading the newspaper
C) Baking a cake
D) Doing a crossword puzzle

Question 15

Which older adult is experiencing normal aging changes of the urinary system? Select all that apply

A) A man who has difficulty voiding, especially when starting his stream
B) A woman who wakes up to void once during the night
C) A man who has difficulty getting a hard erection
D) A man who says he has burning when he urinates

Question 16

An 85-year-old patient 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?

A) "We will have to place him in temporary restraints for safety purposes."
B) "Can you tell me about his home medications and other illnesses he has?"
C) "Sometimes older people become more confused when they are away from home."
D) "He is 85 years old and this is the age group when Alzheimer's disease begins."

Question 17

The primary nursing intervention for an older adult who is a victim of abuse is to:

A) Assess the scope of the problem
B) Analyze the family dynamics
C) Ensure the safety of the victim
D) Teach the victim coping skills

Question 18

To which age group do most hospitalized patients belong?

A) Infants
B) Young adults
C) Middle adults
D) Older adults

Question 19

Which of the following is the most common major challenge for older adults?

A) Dealing with the needs of their children
B) Chronic health problems leading to the loss of independence
C) Loss of the ability to reminisce about the past
D) Decline of intellectual abilities

Question 20

The daughter of an 82-year old patient 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 is?

A) "At this age, your dad does not have the same intelligence he had when he was younger."
B) "It is more difficult for a man in this age group to learn new things."
C) "Reaction time slows in older adults, so it takes him more time to process your requests."
D) "He is likely developing some dementia, as this is a normal development in his age group."

Question 21

The nurse is preparing to teach an older adult woman strategies to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.What will the nurse include as part of her teaching plan? Select all that apply.

A) Begin a daily walking plan
B) Begin to take supplemental hormones
C) Avoid cigarette smoking
D) Increase calcium in the diet

Question 22

Many older adults suffer from chronic health problems.Which of the following are the most common and costly chronic problems in the older adult? Select all that apply.

A) Heart disease
B) Diabetes
C) Alzheimer's disease
D) Pneumonia

Question 23

The nurse practitioner is performing an annual physical examination on an 86-year-old female.What assessments are most important for the nurse to include in her examination? Select all that apply.

A) Height and weight
B) Papanicolaou (Pap) test
C) Colon cancer screening
D) Gait and balance

Question 24

Health promotion activities for all older adults include teaching and facilitating which of the following immunizations? Select all that apply.

A) Pneumonia
B) Measles and mumps
C) Influenza
D) Varicella

Question 25

The nurse suspects that an older adult patient may have difficulty hearing.What strategies will the nurse use in communicating with this patient until he is certain that there is hearing loss? Select all that apply.

A) Look directly at the patient when speaking
B) Speak more slowly than usual
C) Speak loudly toward the patient's ears
D) Allow some extra time for the patient to respond

Question 26

The home health nurse is developing a plan of care for her 76-year-old patient.What are the primary nursing goals the nurse will include in her plan? Select all that apply.

A) Maintain the patient's independent functioning as much and for as long as possible
B) Teach the patient and caregivers how and when to call for professional help
C) Arrange for appropriate care that is needed in the home
D) Teach the patient and family strategies to reduce caregiver role strain