Deck 19: Intimacy and Sexuality in Late Life

Question 1

Based on recent studies,which statement regarding touch and touch zones is most accurate?

A) Persons age 66 to 100 are the most often touched.
B) Newly graduated registered nurses tend to touch clients less often than senior nursing students.
C) When performing pericare on a client,you are working within the zone of intimacy.
D) The comfort of touch depends on place,situation,social status,and age.

Answer 1

The comfort of touch depends on place,situation,social status,and age.

Question 2

Your client is being discharged from the acute care hospital after treatment for an episode of congestive heart failure.During his hospitalization he was placed on diuretic therapy; now his lungs are clear and his vital signs are stable.He was also ruled out for a myocardial infarction.His wife comments to you that she will make certain that her husband ceases his sexual activities now that he has had a heart attack.In answering,you consider that:

A) your client should no longer have sexual relations because of the demand on his heart.
B) the energy expenditure during sex is equivalent to briskly climbing six flights of stairs.
C) many people with heart disease reduce their sexual activity out of fear and lack of knowledge of their condition.
D) the area of sexuality is too intimate an area to discuss with the client.

Answer 2

many people with heart disease reduce their sexual activity out of fear and lack of knowledge of their condition.

Question 3

What is true regarding aging and sexuality?

A) Sexuality is important as long as one is not institutionalized.
B) One's sexuality can give meaning to life and bolster security,belonging,and esteem.
C) The sexual emphasis in later life is on procreation.
D) One cannot possess sexual health if widowed.

Answer 3

One's sexuality can give meaning to life and bolster security,belonging,and esteem.

Question 4

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)is frequently underreported in older adults because:

A) it is often not recognized due to its low incidence in older adults.
B) many of the classic symptoms are also common to other conditions common in older adults.
C) presenting symptoms are markedly different than in younger adults.
D) AIDS progresses much slower in older adults so symptoms are not recognized easily.

Question 5

A 72-year-old widow is a newly admitted resident of a long-term care facility.She initially spends a lot of time in her room and is reluctant to socialize.She meets an 81-year-old male resident of the facility,and they begin spending a lot of time together.They are seen holding hands and sitting together in the widow's room with the door closed.Her daughter attends a care planning meeting and expresses concern over her mother's friendship with the man,stating "The next thing you know they are going to be having sex,maybe they are.This must stop." The nurse bases her response to the daughter on knowing that:

A) Sexual activity in a long-term care facility is inappropriate and must be prevented.
B) Older adults may want to have new relationships and it is normal to express love and intimacy.
C) Sexual desire is absent in older adults.
D) Sexual activity can be dangerous for older adults with chronic illnesses.

Question 6

A 68-year-old widowed patient was admitted to the hospital for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.She was recently diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).She had repeated respiratory infections over the previous 2 years,but only recently was tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The most probable mode of transmission was from her husband,who passed away from pneumonia 11 months ago.She states,"I am so embarrassed.Old people like me do not get this disease." You respond to her based on the knowledge that:

A) the number of older adults with HIV is expected to decrease in the coming years.
B) the number of older adults with HIV has increased significantly in the past decade and continues to rise.
C) men older than age 60 are the fastest growing risk groups.
D) HIV/AIDS in the elderly population is a result of blood transfusions.

Question 7

A 77-year-old resident of a long-term care facility has dementia.He is nonverbal and requires assistance with all activities of daily living.The nurse aide reports that she observed the resident in the day room and he was masturbating.What is the first action of the nurse?

A) Remove the resident from the day room and complete an assessment of his behavior.
B) Cover the resident with a blanket and leave him in the day room.
C) Counsel the resident,telling him that his behavior is inappropriate.
D) Contact the resident's daughter to report his behavior.

Question 8

The following have been identified as benefits of therapeutic touch except:

A) provision of sensory stimulation.
B) relief of physical and psychosocial pain.
C) reduction of anxiety.
D) improved skin integrity.

Question 9

You are a preceptor to a new nurse on the geriatric unit of the hospital.You observe the nurse admit a new patient to the nursing unit and you are reviewing her documentation of the assessment.You note that she has left the section on the assessment form related to "sexuality" blank,and you question her about it.She states that it is "not applicable" and that the patient is 79 years old,then she draws a line through the section.What action do you take?

A) There is no action needed.The patient is 79 years old and this is not an area of concern.
B) There is no action needed.The patient would have shared information if there was anything of concern,so there is no need to ask.
C) Speak to the new nurse,because the role of the nurse is to offer an opportunity for discussion.
D) Speak to the new nurse,because this is an area for the physician to complete.