Deck 8: Biological Maintenance Needs

Question 1

Your 70-year-old client has been coming to the clinic for 5 years for medical follow-up of her osteoporosis.Lately she has been complaining of dry skin,and she asks for your advice.What would be the best suggestion you could offer her?

A) Use extra soap to moisturize the skin.
B) Keep bath water at a moderate temperature-90 to 105 degrees F.
C) Move to a climate with lower humidity.
D) Dry vigorously with a rough towel after bathing.

Answer 1

Keep bath water at a moderate temperature-90 to 105 degrees F.

Question 2

An 81-year-old woman complains of pain in the right upper posterior thoracic area and has an elevated temperature (101° F).She subsequently develops clusters of fluid-filled vesicles in the same area where she reported the pain.It is likely that she has:

A) seborrheic keratoses.
B) rosacea.
C) herpes zoster.
D) stasis dermatitis.

Answer 2

herpes zoster.

Question 3

An 88-year-old patient has type 2 diabetes mellitus.During a routine visit to the diabetes clinic,the nurse reviews the principles of diabetic foot care.What should be included in the teaching?

A) Rub feet vigorously after washing to ensure that they are thoroughly dried.
B) Apply skin softening emollients to all areas of the feet,including between the toes.
C) Inspect feet daily for cuts,blisters,cracks,and reddened areas.
D) Soak feet daily for 10 to 15 minutes in tepid water.

Answer 3

Inspect feet daily for cuts,blisters,cracks,and reddened areas.

Question 4

Normal age-related changes in the mouth include:

A) thickening of the enamel on the teeth.
B) recession of the gums.
C) increase in saliva production
D) leukoplakia.

Question 5

An 88-year-old resident in a long-term care facility tells the nurse she is having mouth pain.The first action the gerontological nurse should take is to:

A) notify the physician in charge about the resident's problem.
B) carefully inspect the resident's mouth,teeth,and tongue.
C) medicate the resident with a prescribed analgesic.
D) instruct the resident to begin rinsing the mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash.

Question 6

Your elderly patient's 50-year-old daughter asks about aging dentition,periodontal disease,and tooth loss.In answering her questions,you know that:

A) more than half of people older than age 65 are edentulous.
B) dental insurance is readily available at a low cost to senior citizens through government programs like Medicare.
C) periodontal disease is usually the result of chronic periodontitis from young and middle-age adulthood.
D) tooth loss is a natural part of the aging process.

Question 7

An important consideration about the skin of an elderly person is that:

A) generous amounts of soap should be used as cleanser.
B) sweat glands increase in activity.
C) the patient's thermoregulating capabilities are decreased.
D) the epidermis becomes thicker and harder.

Question 8

An older woman tells the nurse her husband seldom brushes his teeth as he did in the past.One reason for this might be:

A) decreased manual dexterity.
B) loss of some of his natural teeth.
C) decrease in taste acuity.
D) lack of dental insurance.

Question 9

What skin preparations should the nurse instruct the older adult to use with caution?

A) Moisturizing soaps
B) Emollients to keep the skin moist
C) Steroid-based ointments and creams
D) Sun block

Question 10

A basal cell carcinoma is characterized by:

A) a persistent red lesion with a poorly defined base and an adherent yellow-white scale.
B) a slightly raised discolored patch that may be tan,blue,red,black,or white.
C) an open sore that bleeds,oozes,or crusts and remains for 3 weeks or more.
D) rough,scaly,sandpaper-like patches.