Deck 24: Stress,Crises,and Health in Aging

Question 1

You are questioning your elderly resident about meal choices.He reluctantly answers your questions,and when pressed,states,"Why are you asking me? You guys always do what you want anyway!" Although surprised by his outburst,you recognize that he is exhibiting:

A) denial.
B) dementia.
C) powerlessness.
D) delirium.

Answer 1

powerlessness.

Question 2

A 68-year-old man recently suffered a left-sided cerebrovascular accident (CVA)and is now in an acute rehabilitation setting.He is easily frustrated due to his physical deficits.During his morning bath,the nurse instructs the certified nursing assistant (CNA)to give the patient a washcloth and let him wash his face and as much of his upper body as possible.The primary reason for this is to:

A) allow the patient to establish some control and preserve self-esteem.
B) exercise the patient's left arm.
C) save time so the CNA can assist other patients.
D) allow the CNA to establish control over the situation.

Answer 2

allow the patient to establish some control and preserve self-esteem.

Question 3

A 76-year-old woman was recently admitted to a nursing home.She was transferred directly from the hospital after a hospitalization for a fall and subsequent hip replacement.Her daughter was not able to accompany her on the transfer to the nursing home.She is not eating well,refuses to take her medications,and prefers to sit in her room.Her daughter visits and expresses concern to the nurse.What suggestion is most appropriate for the nurse to suggest to the daughter?

A) Visit often and bring familiar objects from the patient's home to decorate her room.
B) Do not visit for a few weeks in order to give the patient time to get used to the facility.
C) Speak with the primary physician and request a psychiatric evaluation to rule out dementia.
D) Transfer the patient to a different facility because she is not adjusting to this one.

Answer 3

Visit often and bring familiar objects from the patient's home to decorate her room.

Question 4

What is a true statement regarding crises and stress?

A) Stress always precipitates a crisis.
B) Crises always create stress.
C) Personal perception of an event is less significant than the event's magnitude.
D) Stress is time limited.

Question 5

What is a true statement about coping strategies in older adults?

A) Older adults are often less able to cope with stress due to decreased adaptive capacity.
B) Older adults are less able to cope with stress due to cognitive declines.
C) Coping strategies used in earlier life are ineffective in later life.
D) Older adults use coping strategies directed at avoiding the problem.

Question 6

A 90-year-old client in an adult day care program tells the nurse that she is very stressed because her neighbor passed away.The most therapeutic response is:

A) "Let's think of happy things."
B) "Tell me what you did and how you managed when your other neighbor passed away last year."
C) "You should count your blessings and not dwell on sad things."
D) "Let's get involved in some activities and not think about sad things."

Question 7

An older adult woman has recently experienced a number of stressful life events,including the loss of her brother,the burden of caring for her ailing husband,and now an impending move to an apartment across town,because an earthquake has structurally devastated her home of 35 years.She comes to the ambulatory clinic because,in her words,"On top of all of that,now I've got this flu!" In rendering care for this elderly woman,you recognize that:

A) she is exhibiting attention-seeking behaviors.
B) crisis and stressful situations may produce emotions that erode the health of the elderly.
C) she is exhibiting "learned helplessness."
D) a period of crisis will ultimately lead to a lower level of functioning.