Deck 36: Self-Actualization, Spirituality, and Transcendence

Question 1

Which description would be most characteristic of a self-actualized individual?

A) An economically disadvantaged older black man who regularly checks out books from the local library to read to neighborhood children
B) A wealthy white older woman who is constantly searching for a better laxative
C) A middle-class white man who was forced into an early retirement and is living in fear of being evicted from his apartment
D) The older wife of a famous celebrity who travels the world but starves herself and seeks plastic surgery in her quest to fight the physical signs of aging

Answer 1

An economically disadvantaged older black man who regularly checks out books from the local library to read to neighborhood children

Question 2

The nurse managers of the geriatric and pediatric units arrange an intergenerational holiday party. The rationale for arranging such a partnering is based on which principle? (Select all that apply.)

A) Intergenerational activities can help all participants establish new relationships.
B) Intergenerational activities are required by state and local geriatric regulatory agencies.
C) Intergenerational activities provide the units with an opportunity to improve interagency cooperation.
D) Intergenerational activities are beneficial for older adults because they can decrease isolation and foster a sense of meaning and purpose.
E) Intergenerational activities provide youngsters with an opportunity to interact with older adults.

Answer 2

Intergenerational activities can help all participants establish new relationships.
Intergenerational activities are beneficial for older adults because they can decrease isolation and foster a sense of meaning and purpose.
Intergenerational activities provide youngsters with an opportunity to interact with older adults.

Question 3

Which activity assures the nurse that the client's wish to "leave a living legacy" has been accomplished?

A) Donating his body to the local teaching hospital for research purposes
B) Discussing his experiences as a World War II veteran in Europe to a reporter
C) Keeping a journal to be passed on to his great-grandchildren
D) Making a pilgrimage to a location with personal religious significance

Answer 3

Donating his body to the local teaching hospital for research purposes

Question 4

A 77-year-old client recently lost her husband to a chronic progressive neurological disease. She has a history of osteoarthritis and hypertension and was newly diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer. She sold her home and moved to another state to be closer to her children, but she misses her many close friends. What makes her at risk for spiritual distress? (Select all that apply.)

A) Metastatic cancer
B) Age (77)
C) Moving far away from other family and friends
D) Loss of a spouse
E) Chronic conditions: hypertension and arthritis

Question 5

Which statement best demonstrates the primary benefit of intergenerational partnering and the activities that it creates?

A) These types of activities can help establish new relationships.
B) Intergenerational activities can foster a sense of meaning and purpose.
C) Such partnering can increase the self-esteem of the younger people.
D) These activities can decrease social isolation in the older people.

Question 6

When the daughter of a client diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) asks about the possible benefits of enrolling her mother in art classes, the nurse's response is based on the knowledge that:

A) creative activities are not limited to cognitively intact older adults; even individuals with dementia can benefit from creative activities.
B) individuals with dementia who have rational language skills can benefit from creative activities.
C) cognitively impaired elders cannot benefit from creative activities due to altered brain processes.
D) cognitively impaired elders are usually too agitated to participate in creative arts.

Question 7

Which intervention best demonstrates that the nurse understands the spiritual needs of a terminally ill client?

A) Arranging care so that the client's prayer time is not interrupted
B) Assuming the responsibility of notifying the hospital chaplain of the client's admission
C) Providing the client with the schedule of religious services offered in the chapel
D) Suggesting that the family attend worship services with the client whenever possible

Question 8

Which statement best demonstrates an older adult's success at achieving self-actualization?

A) "My father was an alcoholic, but he did love us."
B) "I always feel safe when my son is visiting."
C) "My heart problems are better since I had the surgery."
D) "I've been elected president of my service organization again."

Question 9

An elder is experiencing severe chronic pain resulting from a terminal illness. Which intervention by the nurse would be most appropriate when he verbalizes a desire to find "some sort of meaning to all of this"?

A) Introduce a sensory distraction, such as television
B) Reassure him that this is normal phase that everyone experiences
C) Listen and help him express his feelings about life and death
D) Ask the doctor to order a psychiatric consult for possible depression

Question 10

When a terminally ill client expresses a need "for something more to help me cope with the pain," the nurse bases the recommendation of meditation on which principle concerning this alternative therapy?

A) It is efficient and usually takes less than 5 minutes to implement.
B) It has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression.
C) It improves cognitive abilities.
D) It has been known to eliminate emotional distress.

Question 11

What is the role of the nurse in assisting older adults with travel interests?

A) Suggesting that they travel with a seniors' group
B) Addressing arrangements to have medical care, if needed, during their travels
C) Providing information regarding pet care services for their beloved dog
D) Reassuring the client that their concerns about safety are unfounded