Question 1

The family of an older male patient asks why the patient needs to be hospitalized for pneumonia when the youngest daughter had the same infection a few months ago and was treated at home. How should the nurse respond to the family?

Accepted Answer

Aging decreases the body's ability to restore balance to body systems with an infection.

Question 2

A patient takes herbal and vitamin supplements in order to "slow down" the aging process. The nurse realizes that the patient believes in the use of antioxidants to slow down cell damage. Which is associated with the biological theory of aging?

Accepted Answer

The free radical theory of aging suggests that aging is caused by the accumulation of damage inflicted by reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals, which are molecules with unpaired electrons. Antioxidants can neutralize these free radicals, potentially slowing down the aging process according to this theory.

Question 3

The nurse is planning a program about the Immunological Theory of Aging for a group of senior citizens. Which information should the nurse include in this program? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The Immunological Theory of Aging suggests that the immune system becomes less effective with age. Therefore, avoiding illness exposure (A), maintaining a healthy diet (B), staying active (C), and getting vaccinations (E) are important to support immune function. Immune responses typically decrease, not increase, with aging, making D incorrect.

Question 4

A patient voices concerns about her body weight despite diligently following a healthy diet. Which age-related change would explain this patient's issue with body weight?

Accepted Answer

Body fat tends to increase until middle age due to a decrease in basal metabolic rate and often less physical activity, which can lead to weight gain even with a healthy diet.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for an older client with heart disease that is experiencing fatigue. Which will the nurse initially implement to enhance the overall quality of life and functional ability of the client?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is caring for an older...

Question 6

The nurse is preparing to discharge an older client with instructions on smoking cessation. The nurse states to a colleague, "This client has been smoking for years and isn't going to stop now." Which negative stereotype of aging does the nurse's statement most reflect?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is preparing to discharge an...

Question 7

A 60-year-old patient in good health has asked the nurse about what steps can be taken to build muscle mass. What information should be provided to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Exercise, particularly resistance training, is known to help build and maintain muscle mass at any age, including in older adults.

Question 8

A graduate nurse is nervous about caring for older adult patients because of the personality changes that occur with aging. How should the nurse's preceptor respond to this statement?

Accepted Answer

Personality is generally stable throughout life, including the later years. Research suggests that core personality traits tend to remain consistent as people age.

Question 9

A nursing student is preparing a program to review health concerns for seniors. Which statement should the student include in the presentation?

Accepted Answer

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among senior citizens, reflecting the importance of cardiovascular health in older populations.

Question 10

The nurse provides care to patients in a long-term care facility that embraces the Continuity Theory of Aging. Which actions will the nurse plan to promote this theory? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The Continuity Theory of Aging suggests that individuals strive to maintain their established patterns of behavior and social roles as they age. Actions that promote this theory include planning rest periods between activities (A), encouraging family members to visit (C), and suggesting participating only in activities that bring satisfaction (D).

Question 11

An older patient is refusing to receive the influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations because he believes he is "too old." How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should encourage health promotion activities at any age, emphasizing that it is never too late to benefit from vaccinations.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for an older adult with a chronic disease. Which is reflective of a tertiary intervention to help slow down the progression of the client's illness?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary interventions focus on managing and slowing the progression of an existing disease. Integrating physical therapy is a tertiary intervention as it helps in managing the condition and improving the client's quality of life.

Question 13

Jung's theory of individualism focuses on the client's inner psychological state in regards to aging. When assessing an older client, the nurse might find which thoughts? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jung's theory of individualism focuses on the...

Question 14

The nurse at an assisted-living facility is planning secondary prevention activities for a group of residents at risk for cardiac problems. Which activities would be appropriate for this level of care? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

These activities are appropriate for secondary prevention of cardiac problems because they focus on managing risk factors and preventing further complications.

Question 15

A patient who is new to Medicare has been reviewing coverage for health screening tests. Which statements indicate the patient understands the recommendations provided by Medicare? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient who is new to Medicare...

Question 16

While completing an admission assessment, the nurse learns that a female adult patient has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years and works at a chemical plant. From this information, what is this patient most at risk for?

Accepted Answer

The patient's history of smoking and working at a chemical plant significantly increases her risk for health issues related to occupational hazards, including exposure to harmful chemicals and the well-documented risks associated with long-term smoking, which can shorten life expectancy.

Question 17

The nurse is assessing an older female patient admitted to the hospital for generalized weakness and a cough. Which assessment findings indicate normal changes of aging? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is assessing an older female...

Question 18

A 62-year-old former professional football player is in the hospital for a total knee replacement as a result of wear and tear and a medical diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Which biological theory of aging would help explain this patient's current health problem?

Accepted Answer

The wear-and-tear theory of aging suggests that the body, much like any machine, gradually deteriorates and breaks down over time due to accumulated damage from use, environmental toxins, and the basic processes of living. This theory directly relates to the patient's condition, as his osteoarthritis and need for a knee replacement can be seen as the result of years of physical stress and damage to his joints from his career in professional football.

Question 19

The nurse is planning to conduct education for older adult clients regarding preventative health screenings. Which type of screening does the nurse anticipate educating this population on?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is planning to conduct education...

Question 20

Jung's theory focuses on a person's inability to accept past accomplishments and failures. When assessing a client, which statement supports this theory of a patient's belief?

Accepted Answer

Jung's theory includes the concept of the shadow self, which encompasses parts of our personality we don't want to acknowledge, such as past failures. The statement about losing a husband to a younger, more attractive woman reflects an inability to accept past failures or painful experiences, aligning with Jung's theory.

Quiz 1: Principles of Gerontology