Deck 34: The Aging Individual

Question 1

The nursing instructor is teaching a course on human growth and development to a class of nursing students.The teaching is successful when the students identify which factors as biological aspects of aging? Select all that apply.

A)Fat redistribution
B)Heart hypertrophy
C)Increased fibrous lung tissue
D)Thickening of muscle fibers
E)Enlargement of the liver

Answer 1

Fat redistribution
Heart hypertrophy
Increased fibrous lung tissue

Question 2

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?

A)Altered cortical and intellectual functioning
B)Altered respiratory and gastrointestinal functioning
C)Altered liver and kidney functioning
D)Altered endocrine and immune system functioning

Answer 2

Altered liver and kidney functioning

Question 3

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?

A)"Your wife is not having an affair.What makes you think that?"
B)"Why do you think that your wife is having an affair?"
C)"Your wife has told us that these thoughts have no basis in fact."
D)"I understand that you are upset.Let's talk about it."

Answer 3

"I understand that you are upset.Let's talk about it."

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?

A)"People often have mixed emotions about decisions like this.Support groups are held here on Mondays for children of residents in similar situations."
B)"You did what you had to do.I wouldn't feel guilty if I were you."
C)"Support groups are available to low-income families."
D)"Your parent is doing just fine.We'll take very good care of him."

Question 5

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?

A)Repeat information at least four times.
B)Present discharge teaching to the client's spouse.
C)Use a taped message that can be repeated as needed.
D)Reinforce critical content by providing large-print handouts.

Question 6

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?

A)"I'm glad we discussed this.We'll excuse him from the activity groups."
B)"The groups benefit your father by providing social interaction,sensory stimulation,and reality orientation."
C)"The groups are optional.Only clients at high functioning levels would benefit."
D)"If your father doesn't go to these activity groups,he will be at high risk for developing dementia."

Question 7

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?

A)Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
B)Neuroleptic therapy
C)An antiparkinsonian agent
D)An anxiolytic agent

Question 8

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

A)Schizophrenia
B)Major depressive disorder
C)Phobic disorder
D)Dependent personality disorder

Question 9

James is an older adult who has bilateral cataracts.Which statement made by the nurse indicates implementation of appropriate nursing interventions for this patient? Select all that apply.

A)"I've arranged your plate so your meat is at one o'clock,veggies are at six o'clock,and potatoes are at nine o'clock."
B)"James,I need to ask you a question.Please look at my face while I'm speaking to you."
C)"I'm going to turn your TV down so you can hear what your guests are saying to you."
D)"I know you have felt isolated so I signed you up for the crafts activity this afternoon."
E)"I've placed the TV remote,your book,and a box of tissues on your tray table."

Question 10

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?

A)Encouraging the clients to use hearing aids if needed
B)Avoiding overarticulation
C)Minimizing distractive stimuli
D)Providing more time for client feedback

Question 11

After Margie's husband of 52 years passed away,Margie's children moved her to an assisted-living community so she would have more social interaction.She has lived in the community for 3 years,and she has been the president of the social committee.Lately,Margie has had difficulty remembering the dates and times of social events she has planned and the names of some of her closest friends in the community.When the nurse addresses this issue,Margie responds with "I've always been so sharp and now I feel like my brain is hardly working at all.I've turned into a dotty old woman who can't keep things straight.I'm so embarrassed and humiliated.I'm so glad my husband isn't here to see this." Which nursing actions are likely to improve Margie's self-esteem? Select all that apply.

A)Referring Margie to a psychiatrist to treat her depression
B)Hanging a large calendar on Margie's wall with important dates delineated
C)Asking the social worker to assign a roommate to Margie to keep an eye on her
D)Supplying Margie with a daily itinerary that lists the time and location of social events

Question 12

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

A)"Reminiscence therapy is a group in which participants create collages representing significant aspects of their lives."
B)"Reminiscence therapy encourages members to share both positive and negative significant life memories to promote resolution."
C)"Reminiscence therapy is a social group where members chat about past events and future plans."
D)"Reminiscence therapy encourages members to share positive memories of significant life transitions."

Question 13

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

A)This man would be classified as "older."
B)This man would be classified as "elderly."
C)This man would be classified as "aged."
D)This man would be classified as "very old."

Question 14

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 (ADLs).Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to maintain the client's self-esteem?

A)Leave the client alone in the bathroom to test ability to perform self-care.
B)Assign a variety of caregivers to increase potential for socialization.
C)Allow the client to choose between two different outfits when dressing for the day.
D)Modify the daily schedule often to maintain variety and decrease boredom.

Question 15

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

A)The client will honestly reveal the nature of the injuries.
B)The client may deny or minimize the injuries.
C)The client may have forgotten what caused the injuries.
D)The client will ask to be placed in a nursing home.

Question 16

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?

A)Discourage attempts at verbal communication because of increased client frustration.
B)Increase the volume of the nurse's communication responses.
C)Verbalize the nurse's perception of the implied communication.
D)Encourage the client to communicate by writing.

Question 17

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 the lower extremities.The client is 6 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.Which condition should the nurse suspect?

A)Inability for the client to meet self-care needs
B)Alzheimer's dementia
C)Abuse,neglect,or both
D)Caregiver role strain

Question 18

Which adults are most likely to maintain a positive self-concept during the aging process? Select all that apply.

A)A single,successful mid-level manager at a computer company who works 60 hours a week
B)A middle-aged college professor who hosts dinner parties at her home once a semester for her students
C)A busy mother of four children who volunteers at a retirement home during her children's school day
D)A thirty-something housewife who struggles with addiction

Question 19

The nurse is teaching the son of an older adult about the psychological changes associated with aging.Which statement made by the nurse is correct? Select all that apply.

A)"All older adults experience decreased blood flow to the brain that can cause loss of long-term memory."
B)"Short-term memory deteriorates with age,which is most likely due to poor sorting strategies in the older adult."
C)"Older people have trouble learning new things just like the old saying 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks."'
D)"Older people who are well-educated and mentally active do not lose their memory like their peers who aren't as mentally active."
E)"Your dad can still learn new tasks;it just may take a little longer than it used to."

Question 20

Hank is an older adult widower who lives in a long-term care facility.Recently,Hank has been complaining of fatigue,sleeping excessively,and refusing to engage in unit activities,including meals.When the nurse asks Hank about these symptoms he sighs,"Don't worry about me.I'm just a tired old man who is waiting to die." Which questions are most important for the nurse to ask Hank? Select all that apply.

A)"Are you thinking of hurting yourself?"
B)"Should I call your family to cheer you up?"
C)"How long have you been feeling this way?"
D)"Would you feel better if you came to dinner?"

Question 21

Anne is an elderly patient who lives in a long-term care facility has an adult daughter named Susan.During Susan's visit,the nurse overhears her say to Anne,"You are such a burden.It is so expensive to keep you here,and you don't care because you are so selfish.I may not come visit again because I am so sick of you." Anne is the victim of ___________ abuse.

Question 22

Tandy is an older adult who suffers from dementia.The nurse visits with Tandy and listens as Tandy flips through a photo album and recounts stories from her past.Tandy is engaged in _____________ therapy.

Question 23

The community health nurse is visiting a homebound elderly patient who lives alone.The nurse assesses the patient's environment and finds the home dark and cold.The food pantry contains two cans of soup and half a package of crackers.The contents of the refrigerator have spoiled due to the lack of electricity.The patient states that her electricity has been turned off because her nephew who looks after her has not paid the bill this month even though she gave him the money to do so.During the physical assessment,the nurse finds that the patient has lost 8 pounds since the last visit and has what appear to be cigarette burn marks in various stages of healing on the patient's arms.The nurse determines that the patient is the victim of which type of abuse? Select all that apply.

A)Neglect
B)Financial
C)Physical
D)Sexual

Question 24

______________ theory describes the process of withdrawal by older adults from societal roles and responsibilities.