Deck 10: The Aging Process

Question 1

An elderly patient tells the nurse that her daughter bought her a system that will call for help if she falls. The nurse realizes this patient is describing which technology?

A) Direct dial to the local ambulance company
B) Computerized communication
C) A home alarm system
D) Continuous body monitoring

Answer 1

Continuous body monitoring

Question 2

A hospitalized 72-year-old patient wants to know where her digoxin pill is because she always takes it for her heart. How should the nurse respond?

A) "Digoxin is a bad medication to take."
B) "The health care provider will likely order a different heart medication."
C) "Digoxin doesn't work as well as it used to."
D) "Digoxin is no longer manufactured."

Answer 2

"The health care provider will likely order a different heart medication."

Question 3

A patient reports difficulty hearing when talking to family members on the telephone. Which technologies should the nurse consider when replying to this patient? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A) TTY telephones
B) Voice over Internet Protocol VOIP)
C) Videoconferencing
D) Analog rather than digital telephone
E) Special telephone with higher volume

Answer 3

TTY telephones
Voice over Internet Protocol VOIP)
Videoconferencing
Special telephone with higher volume

Question 4

An older patient says that she cannot go home until she can walk independently because she might get "kicked out" of the apartment. The nurse realizes this patient is describing which type of living facility?

A) A skilled nursing care facility
B) Residential living facility
C) Assisted living facility
D) Adult day care

Question 5

A patient tells the nurse that she does not bother to bathe anymore and has no appetite, so she eats only a few times a week. The nurse would evaluate this statement as possibly indicating which type of mistreatment?

A) Abandonment
B) Physical abuse
C) Emotional abuse
D) Self-neglect

Question 6

An elderly female patient tells the nurse that she is having trouble "holding her water" and doesn't want to drink fluids anymore. How should the nurse interpret this statement?

A) The patient has a urinary tract infection.
B) The patient needs estrogen cream.
C) The patient has a reduced thirst reflex.
D) The patient is experiencing incontinence.

Question 7

A 70-year-old patient has been taking over-the-counter cimetidine for a number of years to treat reflux disease. The nurse would closely assess this patient for which adverse responses? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A) Gastrointestinal bleeding
B) Depression
C) Double vision
D) Confusion
E) Fluid retention

Question 8

Which situations would the nurse identify as supporting the activity theory of aging? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A) An 82-year-old patient continues to live at home and care for her own lawn.
B) A 70-year-old patient who can no longer travel independently joins a group that goes on sightseeing bus trips together.
C) A 65-year-old patient moves to a senior retirement community.
D) A 72-year-old patient does not socialize anymore, preferring to stay at home and watch television.
E) A 74-year-old patient refuses to retire from work.

Question 9

An elderly patient leaves the home for several hours most days of the week and attends a facility where care is provided specific to the needs of the elderly. The patient is attending which type of community-based nursing care program?

A) Adult day care
B) Health care clinic
C) Residential care facility
D) Outpatient center

Question 10

The nurse is planning care for a 70-year-old patient. Which screening should the nurse include in this patient's care plan?

A) Biannual eye examinations
B) Hearing test every 5 years
C) Testing for fecal occult blood every 5 years
D) Annual PSA test and digital rectal exam

Question 11

An 85-year-old male patient is aware of the need for a colonoscopy; however, he has a history of severe electrolyte imbalances associated with bowel preps for diagnostic tests. Which intervention should the nurse plan?

A) Discuss the option of having a flexible sigmoidoscopy instead.
B) Investigate medications the patient can take after the colonoscopy to correct the electrolyte imbalances.
C) Discuss the option of not having the colonoscopy.
D) Consider the option of delaying the colonoscopy for a year.

Question 12

Upon discharge from the hospital, a patient is going home and will need medication injected weekly, assistance with meal preparation, and minor assistance with activities of daily living. The nurse would identify which community-based care service as appropriate for this patient?

A) Home care
B) Hospice care
C) Ambulatory surgical care
D) Long-term care

Question 13

An elderly patient tells the nurse that her son cashes her Social Security checks but tells her he does not have enough money to buy her medications. The nurse should investigate this statement because it could reflect which situation?

A) Physical abuse
B) Financial exploitation
C) Emotional abuse
D) Neglect

Question 14

The nurse is aware that cardiovascular changes are part of the normal aging process. This nurse would consider the position of a patient's point of maximal impulse PMI) normal if it was found at the midclavicular line MCL) in which intercostal spaces ICS)? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A) Third
B) Fifth
C) Sixth
D) Seventh
E) Fourth

Question 15

An elderly female patient has a sudden onset of delirium during the first night of hospitalization. What does this episode suggest to the nurse?

A) The patient has an infection.
B) The patient is dehydrated.
C) The cause must be determined immediately because it can signal another health problem.
D) The patient has Alzheimer's disease.

Question 16

A nurse researcher is preparing to study a group of older adults and their response to a nursing intervention. To meet the legal definition of older adult, the study group should include persons _______ years of age or older.

Question 17

A 66-year-old patient tells the nurse, "It is time for my annual tetanus vaccine." The nurse would respond that it is recommended that a person this age receive the tetanus vaccine every ______ years.

Question 18

A 78-year-old patient's respiratory vital capacity measurement is decreased. How would the nurse evaluate this information?

A) The patient will likely also have cardiac insufficiency.
B) This finding can be normal in older patients.
C) This finding indicates neurological deterioration.
D) This patient has had undiagnosed chronic respiratory disease.

Question 19

A 68-year-old female patient has had a complete hysterectomy, including the removal of the cervix. Which information would the nurse provide regarding long-term screening?

A) "Once you have a negative Pap smear, you can reduce the frequency to one every 3 years."
B) "You should continue to have annual Pap smears."
C) "You should have a Pap smear every 3 years."
D) "You no longer need to have Pap smears."

Question 20

A 75-year-old female has been brought to the emergency department. She tells the nurse that her son, who has taken care of her, said he would "be right back," but she has not seen him for weeks. The nurse is concerned that the patient is describing which possible situation?

A) Neglect
B) Physical abuse
C) Abandonment
D) Self-neglect