Question 1

What are Heberden nodes?

Accepted Answer

Heberden nodes are bony enlargements of the distal joints of the fingers associated with osteoarthritis.

Question 2

What is a cause of pernicious anemia?

Accepted Answer

Pernicious anemia results from a deficiency of vitamin B₁₂.

Question 3

The nurse is accompanying a group of older adults on a July 4th outing to monitor heat prostration. What factor is related to heat intolerance in the older adult?

Accepted Answer

Reduction in perspiration related to reduced sweat gland function results in possible heat intolerance from an inability to cool the body by evaporation.

Question 4

What would be the most helpful response to a 70-year-old postmenopausal woman who asks whether her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will prevent bone loss?

Accepted Answer

HRT is helpful to prevent bone loss,but the risks of cardiovascular complications and cancer have made the choice of HRT controversial.

Question 5

Which care plan modification would be the most beneficial for a 62-year-old woman who is suffering from a flare in her rheumatoid arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Balancing rest and activity allows the resident to remain relatively flexible. Joints may be splinted to reduce contracture.

Question 6

Which symptom would be a characteristic of a stage I pressure ulcer on an older adult's coccyx?

Accepted Answer

A red nonblanchable area is indicative of a stage I pressure ulcer.

Question 7

The nurse cautions the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to use care when transferring or handling older adults. The nurse understands that the vascular fragility of the older adult can result in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Increased capillary fragility results in subcutaneous hemorrhage or senile purpura from careless handling by caregivers.

Question 8

A person with Parkinsons disease has a nursing diagnosis of "nutrition, less than body requirements related to difficulty swallowing." What change would the nurse make in the nursing care plan?

Accepted Answer

Thick shakes are easier to swallow without aspiration and will also improve nutrition.

Question 9

A 75-year-old male is worried that his wartlike dark macules with distinct borders are melanomas. What would be the most likely cause for the macules?

Accepted Answer

Dark,slightly raised macules are seborrheic keratoses,which may be mistaken for melanomas.

Question 10

What is the pathophysiology of a myocardial infarct?

Accepted Answer

The myocardium necroses and scars and does not regenerate. The degree of heart damage is related to the amount of necrosis.

Question 11

A 70-year-old woman asks, "How in the world can my bones be brittle when I eat all the right foods?" Which response by the nurse would be the most informative?

Accepted Answer

Calcium is constantly withdrawn from the bone for nerve and muscle function and clotting needs.

Question 12

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) caring for an older adult asks if the yellow, waxy, crusty lesions on the patient's axilla and groin are contagious. Which response shows the nurse's understanding for the cause of the lesions?

Accepted Answer

Seborrheic dermatitis is a bothersome skin condition resulting from an excess of sebum.

Question 13

Why would a nurse lead a group of postmenopausal women on a daily 15-minute "walking tour" through the long-term care facility?

Accepted Answer

Stress to long bones by weight-bearing and walking will increase bone strength.

Question 14

A 70-year-old woman complains, "I weigh exactly the same as I did when I wore a size 10 and now I can barely squeeze into a size 16." Which statement by the nurse would most correctly explain the size change to the woman?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in muscle mass is replaced with adipose tissue,which frequently changes the appearance of the body,but not the weight.

Question 15

A person who experienced a hemorrhagic cardiac vascular accident (CVA) to the left hemisphere would demonstrate which type of symptoms?

Accepted Answer

A left hemisphere CVA would most likely cause language disturbances such as aphasia,agraphia,or alexia.

Question 16

What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?

Accepted Answer

Emphysema causes overinflation of the nonelastic alveoli,which disallows gas exchange in the affected alveoli and results in reduced oxygenation.

Question 17

Which of the following assessments are the cardinal signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Dyspnea and generalized edema are the cardinal signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure.

Question 18

What would be an acceptable alteration in the plan of care for a patient with a hiatal hernia who is experiencing gastrointestinal reflux?

Accepted Answer

Eating smaller and more frequent meals does not enlarge the stomach.

Question 19

The nurse assesses a diabetic patient and finds the patient to be pale, edematous, and listless with a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 35 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 4 mg/dL. What would the results of the nursing assessment indicate?

Accepted Answer

The increased BUN and creatinine levels indicate renal failure.

Question 20

Why does the nurse modify the environment to keep it warmer for the older adult?

Accepted Answer

The reduction of subcutaneous tissue as an age-related change causes sensitivity to cold because it is the main insulator of the body.

Quiz 3: Physiologic Changes