Deck 23: Promoting Health in Elders

Question 1

A nurse is working with clients in an assisted living facility.In the past month,there have been several deaths among the residents and their spouses.In helping the remaining residents deal with these deaths,the nurse understands that adjustment may be easier for which resident?

A)A resident who spent most of her days attending to her partner who is now deceased
B)A resident who had a wide circle of friends,besides her spouse
C)A resident who was not inclined to participate in any activities offered at the facility
D)A resident who started to become more dependent on the nursing staff at the facility

Answer 1

A resident who had a wide circle of friends,besides her spouse

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a wellness class for older adults.In order to address the sensory loss that accompanies the aging process,the nurse should recommend that these clients take which action?

A)Use hearing aids and glasses.
B)Wear shaded glasses indoors to reduce glare.
C)Switch to brighter lighting in their home.
D)Exercise more and increase calcium intake.

Answer 2

Switch to brighter lighting in their home.

Question 3

Some nursing students are doing their first clinical rotation in a long-term care facility.What should the nurse educator remind the students to do to meet the needs of this particular client group?

A)Do all care for the clients,as they're unable to do it independently.
B)Always remember that the clients' self-respect must be maintained in all interactions of the students.
C)Make sure the clients' care is done in a timely manner,and sometimes that means doing things for the client.
D)Treat this group of clients with a greater level of respect than younger clients.

Answer 3

Always remember that the clients' self-respect must be maintained in all interactions of the students.

Question 4

A gerontological nurse is helping a potential home health client acquire the supplies that will be needed once the client is discharged from acute care.When considering these supplies,what should the nurse recall?

A)Medicare will cover supplies,but only with a physician's written order.
B)Between insurance supplements and Medicare,the older client shouldn't have any difficulty with coverage.
C)Most clients in this age group live on a fixed income,and supplies used should be as economical as possible.
D)Clients have to be responsible for their own supplies.

Question 5

A nurse is presenting a health education program to a group of older adults at a senior citizens center.Considering the physiological changes of this age group,how should the nurse set the temperature of the room?

A)It should be set at a temperature that is comfortable for the nurse.
B)It should be set cooler than what is comfortable for the nurse.
C)It should be set warmer than the nurse's preference.
D)The temperature of the room is not one of the nurse's concerns.

Question 6

An elderly client comes to the clinic for follow-up after a long hospitalization.When the client asks about increasing strength and endurance,what should the nurse respond?

A)"Your muscles can be strengthened,which might help you function better."
B)"It won't matter if you exercise.At your age,there's little room for improvement."
C)"Once muscle mass is decreased,there's nothing that can be done for strength improvement."
D)"Maybe you should think about going to a nursing home.At least the people there will be able to help with your needs."

Question 7

A nurse who works in a long-term care facility has noticed that one of the residents has been showing signs of impaired cognitive and self-care abilities over the last 2 weeks.The nurse should

A)remember that memory loss is a normal,age-related change.
B)investigate for possible physiologic problems.
C)instruct the staff to be extra attentive,as this person needs more assistance.
D)inform the resident's family that the resident probably has some form of dementia.

Question 8

An older male client comes to the clinic and states to the nurse that he hasn't been interested in sexual intercourse lately.He states: "I guess this is part of getting old,too." What should the nurse explain about decreased sexual interest in older clients?

A)It does decrease and gradually disappears.
B)It should not be taken as seriously as it would be if the client were a younger person.
C)It is caused by decreased hormone activity and there is little that can be done about it.
D)It decreases but does not disappear.

Question 9

The nurse is planning care for an older adult client.On what should the nurse focus if following the Functional Consequences Theory on aging?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Promote safety.
B)Promote mental health.
C)Improve quality of life.
D)Promote spiritual health.
E)Promote growth and development.

Question 10

An older adult client comes to the clinic with reports of not being able to hold her urine,stating: "I feel so terrible.This shouldn't happen at my age." How should the nurse respond?

A)"You shouldn't feel badly.Lots of people have this trouble."
B)"You'll probably have to start wearing incontinence briefs.Then you won't be worried about accidents."
C)"Getting old isn't much fun,is it?"
D)"There could be a number of causes for this.I need to ask you some more questions about it."

Question 11

A school nurse is bringing a group of students to a nursing home for a social exchange project.Before the students arrive,the nurse reminds them to do what when speaking to the residents?

A)Speak as loud as they can.
B)Speak into the residents' ears.
C)Write out what they want to say on a piece of paper.
D)Speak distinctly,while facing the residents.

Question 12

The elderly client comes to the clinic reporting gastrointestinal problems,including frequent constipation and indigestion,but denies any recent weight loss.The nurse initially recognizes that these symptoms

A)indicate a concern and could be caused by cancer.
B)indicate the need for an upper and lower GI x-ray series.
C)could be related to normal changes in muscle tone and activity.
D)are probably indicative of a gastric ulcer or colitis.

Question 13

In the review of an elderly client's chart,the nurse reads that the client has sarcopenia.What should the nurse expect the client to report?

A)Weight loss and nausea
B)Hair loss and thin skin
C)Bleeding and bruising tendencies
D)Lack of strength and tiring easily

Question 14

A group of elderly women come to the community center for exercise classes taught by the community health nurse.This activity will help lead to which outcome for these clients?

A)Reverse the effects of aging and cure pain.
B)Slow bone density loss and decrease muscle atrophy.
C)Eliminate the risk for osteoporosis.
D)Prevent pathologic fractures.

Question 15

A nurse is preparing an education program on safety concerns for elderly adults living in their own homes.To address the sensory changes in this age group,what should the nurse recommend to this group?

A)Have carbon monoxide detectors that are checked on a scheduled basis.
B)Place a list of emergency numbers near the phone.
C)Install telephones that use a blinking light instead of a ringer.
D)Ask someone to do their cooking for them.

Question 16

A group of older clients is interested in living options available in the community when they may need some assistance with their daily needs.What should the nurse suggest as possibilities to meet these needs?

A)Adult foster care
B)Group homes
C)Retirement villages
D)Long-term care facilities
E)Adult day-care centers

Question 17

An elderly client who has had a stroke is ready for hospital discharge.How should the gerontological nurse case manager support this client's independence?

A)Allow the client to be actively involved in all decisions made.
B)Make arrangements based on what the nurse feels is in the best interest of the client.
C)Work closely with the social worker and physician to make the decisions necessary for the client.
D)Set up a meeting with the family members so decisions can be made.

Question 18

In planning any health program for elderly adults,the nurse will implement Erikson's theory of task development.The nurse realizes that in this stage of life,the successful completion of the task allows the person to

A)have a feeling of satisfaction from past accomplishments.
B)make connections with the younger generation.
C)wish he or she could live life over again.
D)live out his or her last years in physical health.

Question 19

A client has been diagnosed with dementia.The family wants to know how to plan for the future.What is the best response by the nurse?

A)"Your family member's symptoms will get worse,but there are medications to stop the progress."
B)"You should plan right now on which long-term care facility you will want to utilize when the time comes."
C)"Dementia is a progressive deterioration.It's important for you to clearly understand what to look for in symptoms."
D)"Dementia can be treated once the cause is known."

Question 20

When consulting Erikson's developmental theory,the nurse determines that which older adult will have the least difficulty being successful with the task of this stage?

A)A client who felt success through her children's accomplishments
B)A client who held his job and work status as the defining feature of his life
C)A client who maintained a balance between work and home
D)A client who planned to really enjoy life once she retired

Question 21

The nurse is completing an assessment to determine an older patient's development of moral reasoning.Which observation indicates that the client has developed moral reasoning as anticipated?

A)Considers relationships as well as justice in moral decisions
B)Approaches moral decisions based upon the consequences to self
C)Follows society's rules of conduct in response to the expectations of others
D)Bases moral judgments on connectedness to others and the value of relationships

Question 22

The nurse is explaining the difference between dementia and delirium to the spouse of a client with Alzheimer's disease.What should the nurse say to make this distinction?

A)"Delirium is easily distinguished from dementia."
B)"Dementia is reversible and treatable."
C)"Delirium is an acute and reversible syndrome."
D)"Dementia is the only condition that is characterized by changes in memory,judgment,language,mathematic calculation,abstract reasoning,and problem-solving ability."

Question 23

A client has had Alzheimer's dementia for a period of time and continues to live at home with his spouse.What would be one of the gerontological nurse's responsibilities?

A)Make sure the client is being prescribed appropriate medication.
B)Provide support for the spouse.
C)Assess the client early to ensure proper care.
D)Find a suitable long-term care facility for the client.

Question 24

The nurse is identifying health promotion needs for an older adult client.What should the nurse consider for this client?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Offering to arrange a pneumococcal vaccine for a client turning 60 years old
B)Assessing the 62-year-old client for situational depression.
C)Discussing smoking cessation classes with a 64-year-old
D)Asking a 78-year-old client whether he had his cholesterol tested within the last 3 years
E)Measuring the 79-year-old client's height and weight

Question 25

A hospitalized older client is recovering from an acute illness.As the client nears the end of his hospitalization,he questions the nurse about medications and care after discharge.The gerontological nurse should

A)inform the physician that the client needs to go to a nursing home.
B)assess the client's independence and ability to function in his own home before discharge.
C)tell the client not to worry about going home.
D)invite the client's family to come to the hospital so the nurse can explain the client's care to them.

Question 26

The nurse is caring for an older client living in the community.Which nurse actions demonstrate an understanding of the prevalent health concerns specific to the older adult client?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Discusses the need for proper lighting-especially at night-to minimize the risk of falls
B)Assesses amount and frequency of the client's alcohol consumption patterns
C)Assesses the client's orientation to time,place,and person,as well as short-term memory
D)Discusses the client's views on long-term residential care if the need arises
E)Asks the client to name and provide the reason for each medication he is currently taking