Question 1

A nursing instructor is teaching about reminiscence therapy.What student statement indicates that learning has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Reminiscence therapy encourages members to share both positive and negative significant life memories to promote resolution.Stimulation of life memories serves to help older clients work through their losses and maintain self-esteem.Reminiscence therapy can take place in one-on-one or group settings.

Question 2

Which psychiatric disorder would a nurse expect to see diagnosed in a client's later life?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder is most likely to be identified later in life.Depression among older adults can be increased by physical illness,functional disability,cognitive impairment,and loss of a spouse.

Question 3

An elderly client is exhibiting symptoms of major depressive disorder.A physician is considering prescribing an antidepressant.Which physiological problem should make a nurse question this medication regimen?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should question the use of an antidepressant medication in a client with altered liver and kidney function.Antidepressant medication should be administered with consideration for age-related physiological changes in absorption,distribution,elimination,and brain receptor sensitivity.Because of these changes,medications can reach high levels despite moderate oral dosage.

Question 4

A son who recently brought his extremely confused parent to a nursing home for admission reports feelings of guilt.Which is the appropriate nursing reply?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate reply by the nurse is to normalize the son's feelings and provide a resource to help the son deal with feelings of guilt by giving information about an available support group.

Question 5

A nurse is conducting a class on fall prevention at a local senior center.In relationship to the slowed cognitive processing of advanced age,which teaching modification would be most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

Accepted Answer

Because the elderly require more time to assimilate information,the nurse should modify teaching methods to allow more time for older adults to respond to and pose questions.

Question 6

A client has recently been placed in a long-term-care facility because of marked confusion and inability to perform most activities of daily living.Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to maintain the client's self-esteem?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate nursing intervention to maintain this client's self-esteem is to allow the client to choose between two different outfits when dressing for the day.The nurse should also provide appropriate supervision to keep the client safe,maintain consistency of caregivers,and maintain a structured daily routine to minimize confusion.

Question 7

A couple resides in a long-term care facility.The husband is admitted to the psychiatric unit after physically abusing his wife.He states,"My wife is having an affair with a young man,and I want it investigated." Which is the appropriate nursing reply?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate reply by the nurse is to empathize with the client regarding his emotional response and to encourage the client to talk about the situation.The nurse should remain nonjudgmental and help maintain orientation and aid in memory and recognition.

Question 8

An elderly client who lives with a caregiver is admitted to an emergency department for a fractured arm.The client is soaked in urine and has dried fecal matter on lower extremities.The client is 6 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.Which condition should the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should expect that this client is a victim of elder abuse,neglect,or both.Indicators of elder physical abuse include bruises,fractures,burns,and other physical injuries.Neglect may be manifested as hunger,poor hygiene,unattended physical problems,and/or abandonment.

Question 9

An elderly client has met the criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.The client does not respond to antidepressant medications.Which treatment should a nurse anticipate that the physician would prescribe for this client?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should anticipate that ECT will be ordered to treat this client's symptoms of depression.ECT remains one of the safest and most effective treatments for major depressive disorder in older adults.When a client does not respond to antidepressant medications or has been diagnosed with co-morbid disease processes that prohibit the use of antidepressant medications,ECT is considered the treatment of choice.The response to ECT may be slower in older clients,and the effects may be of limited duration.

Question 10

A client diagnosed with glaucoma is being discharged to an assisted living facility.In what way should the discharge nurse modify teaching to most effectively present information to this client?

Accepted Answer

Providing large-print materials would address the client's visual alterations.

Question 11

A client diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease has difficulty communicating because of cognitive deterioration.Which nursing intervention is appropriate to improve communication?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate nursing intervention is to verbalize the nurse's perception of the implied communication.The nurse should also keep explanations simple,use face-to-face interaction,and speak slowly without shouting.

Question 12

According to the U.S.Census Bureau criteria,how would a nurse classify a 70-year-old man?

Accepted Answer

The U.S.Census Bureau classifies a 70-year-old man as "elderly." The U.S.Census Bureau has developed a system for classification of older AmericAnswer: older,55 to 64; elderly,65 to 74; aged,75 to 84; very old,85 years and older.

Question 13

A family asks why their father is attending activity groups at the long-term care facility.The son states,"My father worked hard all of his life.He just needs some rest at this point." Which is the appropriate nursing reply?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate nursing reply is to educate the family on the purpose of activity groups,which is to provide social interaction,sensory stimulation,and reality orientation.Groups can also serve to increase self-esteem and reduce depression.

Question 14

An elderly,emaciated client is brought to an emergency department by the client's caregiver.The client has bruises and abrasions on shoulders and back in multiple stages of healing.When directly asked about these symptoms,which type of client response should a nurse anticipate?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should anticipate that the client might deny or minimize the injuries.The older client may be unwilling to disclose information because of fear of retaliation,embarrassment about the existence of abuse in the family,protectiveness toward a family member,or unwillingness to bring about legal action.

Quiz 34: The Aging Individual