Deck 14: Common Medical Diagnoses

Question 1

An older person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) asks why the pneumococcal vaccination is necessary. Which response should the nurse give?
1) "It will prevent the COPD from getting worse."
2) "It will prevent the development of pneumonia."
3) "It will improve your lung functioning as you age."
4) "It will reduce shortness of breath and fatigue when exercising."

Answer 1

2

Question 2

The nurse is beginning a review of systems with an older patient. Which area should be included when assessing the neurological system? Select all that apply.
1) Gait
2) Vision
3) Hearing
4) Bruising
5) Nocturia

Answer 2

1, 2, 3

Question 3

An older person who does not want to become sick just sits around talking about illnesses with friends. What should the nurse suggest to help this person prevent the development of chronic health problems? Select all that apply.
1) Don't smoke.
2) Eat a healthy diet.
3) Engage with family and friends.
4) Enjoy alcohol with every dinner.
5) Have routine physical examinations.

Answer 3

1, 2, 3, 5

Question 4

The nurse is preparing an education session for older community members on actions to prevent a stroke. What should the nurse emphasize as being the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke?
1) Arthritis
2) Pneumonia
3) High blood pressure
4) Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Question 5

An older patient who has had a stroke insists on doing things independently, however, this is creating safety concerns. Which type of stroke did this patient most likely experience?
1) Brainstem
2) Cerebellar
3) Left hemisphere
4) Right hemisphere

Question 6

An older person prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor has stopped taking the medication. For which adverse effect of the medication should the nurse assess in this patient?
1) Anxiety
2) Insomnia
3) Palpitations
4) Nonproductive cough

Question 7

An older patient with congestive heart failure talks with adult children about the future and what they should focus on to take care of their family home once she passes away. What should the nurse realize that this conversation indicates?
1) The patient has financial difficulty.
2) The adult children are unemployed.
3) The adult children still live at home.
4) The patient has achieved gerotranscendence.

Question 8

During the review of systems, an older patient explains experiencing increased hunger, frequent urination, and a 5-pound weight loss in the last month. On which body system should the nurse focus when assessing for additional information?
1) Endocrine
2) Pulmonary
3) Genitourinary
4) Gastrointestinal

Question 9

An older person with back and hip stiffness is unaware of when arthritis developed because it just seemed to "appear" one day. Which response should the nurse make?
1) "Maybe you don't have arthritis."
2) "Have you been to see your doctor?"
3) "Chronic conditions develop over time."
4) "The stiffness will resolve in a few months."

Question 10

An older person with hypertension is being started on an aerobic exercise program. What should the nurse emphasize when teaching the patient about this program?
1) Be sure to stretch after walking.
2) Take a cool shower after walking.
3) Perform 15 minutes of aerobic walking five times a week.
4) Perform 10 minutes of aerobic walking two to three times a week.

Question 11

An older patient is experiencing morning stiffness in the back, hips, and knees, along with enlarged joints. What should the nurse explain about these manifestations?
1) Joint replacement surgery is contraindicated.
2) These problems are an expected consequence of aging.
3) Less exercise and weight-bearing activities is recommended.
4) These problems are associated with degenerative joint disease.

Question 12

The nurse is preparing to conduct a review of systems with an older patient. Which observation should indicate to the nurse that questions about the respiratory system are a priority?
1) Burping
2) Dry skin
3) Coughing
4) Walking slowly

Question 13

An older patient recovering from a stroke coughs when drinking fluids. What should the nurse consider to prevent this patient from aspirating?
1) Thickening the fluids
2) Increasing intravenous fluid infusion
3) Making the patient nothing by mouth status
4) Providing all nourishment through tube feedings

Question 14

The nurse reviews ways to help an older person maintain independence with osteoarthritis. Which patient statement indicates that additional teaching about the chronic condition is required?
1) "I'll take my medications and in a few months the arthritis will be healed."
2) "If I get up from bed slowly and move deliberately the joint pain will ease."
3) "I understand the importance of walking every day to keep my muscles strong."
4) "I will use pillows to support my joints so that I can get adequate rest each night."

Question 15

An older patient with end-stage COPD is anxious and claims that the oxygen tubing is clogged and not providing enough oxygen. Which self-care strategy would assist this patient to be more comfortable?
1) Quitting smoking
2) Increasing the liter flow on the oxygen
3) Increasing the dosage of narcotic pain relievers
4) Teaching strategies to deal with anxiety and obstruction of air flow