Question 1

The nurse is admitting an older patient who requires a cane for ambulation, bilateral hearing aids, and monthly vitamin B12 injections. The daughter of the patient tells the nurse that the patient no longer remembers how to use a toothbrush or turn on the television set. Which information requires further assessment?

Accepted Answer

The patient's inability to remember how to use a toothbrush or turn on the television set indicates a significant cognitive change, which requires further assessment to determine the cause and extent of cognitive impairment.

Question 2

An elderly patient is admitted for abdominal pain. The nurse assesses withdrawal, somatic complaints, and continued, unrelieved pain. What nursing action is indicated?

Accepted Answer

Assessing for signs and symptoms of depression is indicated due to the patient's withdrawal, somatic complaints, and unrelieved pain, which can be manifestations of depression, especially in the elderly.

Question 3

An elderly, Asian patient is admitted for suicide precautions. After performing an assessment, the nurse identifies a history of multiple, unsuccessful suicide attempts in the past three years. Which factor(s) may have contributed to the delay in treatment? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A,B,C,D

Question 4

The nurse is assessing an older patient exhibiting signs of paranoia. Which is known to increase the risk of developing of this disorder? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Hearing loss, dementia, social isolation, and cognitive impairment are all factors that can increase the risk of paranoia in older adults. These conditions can affect perception, communication, and social interactions, potentially leading to paranoid thoughts.

Question 5

The son of an older patient is concerned about the patient's ongoing forgetfulness and asks the nurse to explain what could be wrong with the patient. How should the nurse respond to the son?

Accepted Answer

Memory difficulties in older adults can be caused by a variety of underlying issues, including anxiety, chronic pain, or depression. It's important to consider these potential causes when addressing concerns about memory loss.

Question 6

What should the nurse instruct an older patient to do to cope with age-associated cognitive changes? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What should the nurse instruct an older...

Question 7

An older patient with cardiac disease has frequent sleep problems and insomnia. How would the nurse describe these manifestations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An older patient with cardiac disease has...

Question 8

An older patient is concerned about remembering to take prescribed medications. What strategies should the nurse recommend to this patient? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An older patient is concerned about remembering...

Question 9

The discharge nurse is teaching insulin administration to an older patient. Which teaching strategy would be best?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The discharge nurse is teaching insulin administration...

Question 10

During an interview, the nurse notes that an older patient is having mild difficulty with some words and forgets the names of people. The patient is alert, oriented to time, person, and place, and makes appropriate responses. What does the nurse determine this patient's cognitive changes to mean?

Accepted Answer

These symptoms can be considered normal signs of aging, as they reflect mild cognitive changes that do not significantly impair daily functioning or social interaction. Mild difficulty with word-finding and occasional forgetfulness of names are common as people age, but the patient remains alert and oriented, suggesting these changes are within the spectrum of normal aging rather than indicative of a more serious cognitive disorder.

Question 11

During an assessment, the nurse learns that an older patient feels his heart race during times of stress. How would the nurse best describe this event?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During an assessment, the nurse learns that...

Question 12

While organizing a walking program at an assisted living facility, one resident asks why older people should exercise. Which is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Exercise has numerous benefits for individuals of all ages, including stress reduction and improvements in physical health. These benefits are particularly important for older adults, as regular physical activity can help maintain mobility, strength, and overall well-being.

Question 13

An older patient admits to feeling worthless and depressed since the death of their spouse. Which health risk is most concerning to the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Older adults experiencing feelings of worthlessness and depression, especially after the loss of a spouse, are at an increased risk for suicide. This is a critical concern for healthcare providers.

Question 14

The nurse is concerned that an older patient has a problem related to regular alcohol consumption. What did the nurse assess in this patient? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Regular alcohol consumption, especially in older adults, can lead to various health and social issues. Anxiety (A) can be both a cause and a result of alcohol abuse. Malnutrition (B) occurs because alcohol can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients. Social isolation (C) can result from the lifestyle choices of those who consume alcohol regularly, as it may affect their social interactions and relationships. Bruises from falling (D) indicate a higher risk of accidents and injuries due to impaired coordination and judgment from alcohol consumption. Dependence on family members (E) is not directly related to alcohol consumption issues but more to the general health and mobility of the older patient.

Question 15

The daughter of an elderly patient expresses concern about a change in the patient's mental health. Which is most likely due to normal cognitive changes? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The daughter of an elderly patient expresses...

Question 16

The nurse is preparing a presentation on grief. What information should be included regarding factors that can affect duration and the course of grieving? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is preparing a presentation on...

Question 17

The nurse working in a long-term care facility is coordinating a screening for depression. Which is the primary benefit of this event?

Accepted Answer

Screening for depression in a long-term care facility primarily helps identify symptoms of depression, which are often associated with chronic illness and pain, allowing for appropriate management and support.

Question 18

An older patient wakes up from sleep, confused, and insists a family member is in the other room. What information within the patient's medical record should the nurse consider as a source of the patient's confusion?

Accepted Answer

Pain medication, especially opioids and certain sedatives, can cause confusion and delirium in older patients due to their increased sensitivity to these medications and potential for altered metabolism and excretion.

Question 19

An older patient's spouse passed away 4 years ago; however, the patient still sets a place at the dinner table for the spouse and has never removed any clothing or other personal items from the home. What does the nurse suspect the patient is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The patient's behaviors suggest an inability to move past the loss of the spouse, indicating pathological grief. Normal grief evolves over time, but the persistence and intensity of these behaviors after several years are indicative of a more serious, unresolved grieving process.

Question 20

The nurse educator is preparing an educational program about psychiatric issues in older patients. Which symptoms should be included in instruction? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse educator is preparing an educational...

Quiz 7: Psychological and Cognitive Function