Deck 3: Supporting Life Transitions and Spirituality

Question 1

During a community picnic, the nurse observes a middle-aged adult sitting alone on a bench. This adult is reflecting on the times spent with parents and friends and does not want to forget the memories. What should the nurse suggest to this person?
1) Write a life story.
2) Learn a new hobby.
3) Spend less time alone.
4) Share the memories with children.

Answer 1

1

Question 2

The nurse is caring for an older patient. What should the nurse identify as activities that could cause this patient to experience stress? Select all that apply.
1) Waiting over an hour for a pain pill
2) Watching a horror movie on television
3) Having a different nurse scheduled for the day shift
4) Hearing a jackhammer breaking up concrete on the street
5) Being awakened every 2 hours during the night for blood work

Answer 2

1, 3, 4, 5

Question 3

The nurse visits the home of a recently retired older patient. Which observation indicates that the patient is having difficulty with the transition? Select all that apply.
1) Losing weight
2) Meeting with friends
3) Downloading ebooks
4) Babysitting grandchildren
5) Skipping medication doses

Answer 3

1, 5

Question 4

During a home visit, the adult daughter of an aging couple asks one parent to not tell the story about "the time you were in the war and had to use sheets to cover a wound" again. What should the nurse realize that the older parent is demonstrating?
1) Delirium
2) Dementia
3) Confusion
4) Life review

Question 5

An older patient recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery is depressed and is continuously asking, "Why is God doing this to me?" In which way should the nurse respond?
1) Reassure the patient that everything is okay.
2) Ask if the patient has any specific spiritual needs to be addressed.
3) Ask for a psychiatric consultation to screen the patient for depression.
4) Tell the patient that sadness usually occurs after undergoing heart surgery.

Question 6

An older patient has just been admitted to the oncology unit with a new diagnosis of lung cancer and knows very little about the diagnosis. Which action should the nurse take to make this patient's transition easier?
1) Administer an antianxiety agent.
2) Ask the physician to explain what is going on.
3) Leave a printout about lung cancer at the bedside.
4) Talk with the patient about fears, questions, or concerns.

Question 7

A middle-aged adult who was widowed a few years ago is having difficulty with losing one parent and then the other 5 months later. What should the nurse do to help this adult with the transition of losing both parents in a short period of time?
1) Remind the person that the parents had long lives.
2) Assure the person that the parents are in a better place now.
3) Encourage the person to move forward and resume routine activities.
4) Ask how the transition of losing a spouse a few years ago was handled.

Question 8

An older adult is having difficulty adjusting to needing a cane to safely ambulate. With which transitions is the person having difficulty?
1) Role crisis
2) Body image
3) Loss of identity
4) Lack of social interaction

Question 9

The nurse is asked to explain the purpose of creating a life story. Which response should the nurse make?
1) "It evaluates a patient for an intact memory."
2) "It can be published as a book and sold for profit."
3) "It keeps a patient busy for long periods of time."
4) "It can be used to share life events with family members."

Question 10

A nursing instructor has spinal fusion surgery and learns afterward that performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and walking for long periods of time will be contraindicated in the future after recovery. What is the transitional moment for this instructor?
1) Having surgery
2) Recovering from surgery
3) Teaching nursing students
4) Learning that certain activities are not permitted to be performed

Question 11

The nurse respects an older patient's decision and right to refuse treatment and returns at a later time to offer previously refused medication. Which factor influencing transitional outcomes applies to this patient's situation?
1) Degree of choice
2) Perception of change
3) Preparation for the change
4) Extent or degree of change

Question 12

An older married couple spent a few weeks going through all photos and placing them in albums to present to their adult children. What behavior did the older couple demonstrate?
1) Creativity
2) Motivation
3) Life review
4) Storytelling

Question 13

The aging parents of a middle-aged adult have both recently passed away. What transition will the middle-aged adult be facing?
1) Role crisis
2) Loss of identity
3) Change in employment
4) Unpreparedness for the future

Question 14

One member of an older couple is unable to walk independently and needs hemodialysis treatments three times a week. The couple is discussing the need for an extended care facility. What should be done to facilitate the ill spouse's free choice with a transition?
1) Identify the facilities with hemodialysis treatment centers.
2) Explain how it is safer for an extended care facility admission to occur.
3) Remind the couple that as they age they should expect health problems
4) Review the importance of receiving quality care to improve physical status.

Question 15

An older patient recovering from hip replacement surgery is upset and does not feel at peace because of the inability to attend church as a result of the injury. What is the best response by the nurse?
1) Suggest watching television to distract the mind.
2) Encourage the patient to read a book, magazine, or newspaper.
3) Offer to call the hospital's chaplain or clergyman to pray with the patient.
4) Encourage the patient to get more sleep so the body can heal and return to a state of peacefulness.