Deck 16: Environmental Safety and Security

Question 1

You are a home care nurse in an area of the country that is prone to tornadoes.When you make your first home visit,you routinely discuss disaster preparedness.The rationale for this includes the following except:

A) older adults are less likely to seek formal and informal help than are younger people during disasters.
B) older adults are more likely to bring litigation against the home care agency.
C) older adults have special needs that need to be addressed.
D) older adults may not get as much assistance as younger adults during a disaster.

Answer 1

older adults are more likely to bring litigation against the home care agency.

Question 2

You are educating your elderly female client about fire safety.You answer her questions knowing that:

A) elderly women are more likely to die in fires than elderly men.
B) fire mortality for elders is twice that of any other age group except children ages 1 to 4.
C) most people who die in fires are killed by the flames.
D) most fires occur outside the home.

Answer 2

fire mortality for elders is twice that of any other age group except children ages 1 to 4.

Question 3

A 98-year-old female client of your home care agency resides independently in the community.You make a routine visit and you find that despite its being 90 degrees F outside,the windows are closed and the client is wearing a sweater.You understand that her behavior may be related to:

A) cognitive changes that diminish the individual's awareness of temperature changes.
B) neurosensory changes related to aging that diminish the individual's awareness of temperature changes.
C) delirium related to an acute illness.
D) self-neglect.

Answer 3

neurosensory changes related to aging that diminish the individual's awareness of temperature changes.

Question 4

You are a nurse on the Acute Care for the Elderly Unit,which has an activity program for patients on the unit.All patients are encouraged to get out of bed and walk to the activity program daily.This program is based on the understanding that:

A) fewer registered nurse staff are required to care for patients who are ambulatory.
B) physical activity improves mobility,balance,and muscle strength.
C) fewer falls occur in patients who are out of bed than among those who are on bedrest.
D) older adults who are ambulatory have less of a risk of developing hypothermia.

Question 5

You notice that a newly admitted resident to the long-term care facility insists on maintaining a large collection of personal items on her bedside table,including several photographs of her deceased husband.As you are walking by the door to her room,you overhear an argument between the resident and a nursing assistant who is encouraging her to store the personal items in her dresser drawer.You intervene,realizing that:

A) this is an attempt by the resident to maintain a sense of personal space.
B) the resident is not coping well with the loss of her spouse and is using the photographs in an attempt to live in the past
C) the resident is exhibiting combative behavior,which may be an early warning sign of dementia.
D) the resident is exhibiting controlling,manipulative behavior and needs to learn the rules of the institution.