Deck 2: The Aging Experience

Question 1

The nurse is caring for an older patient. Which information about the aging process should the nurse recall that demonstrates respect for this population?
1) As people get older, they become very self-centered.
2) Getting old is a hopeless downward spiral toward death.
3) Older people maintain unique and individual characteristics.
4) Older people become very rigid and are unable to learn new things.

Answer 1

3

Question 2

An older patient is experiencing age-related skin changes. Which finding should the nurse associate with these changes?
1) Altered joint mobility
2) Intolerance to exercise
3) Alteration in ability to ambulate
4) Change in body temperature regulation

Answer 2

4

Question 3

The nurse is assessing an older patient's respiratory system. Which should the nurse identify as a reason for this patient to experience increased residual lung volume?
1) Osteoporosis
2) Increased elastic recoil
3) Increased number of functioning alveoli
4) Decreased efficiency of gas exchange in the alveoli

Answer 3

4

Question 4

An older female is concerned about experiencing painful intercourse and vaginal infections. Which should the nurse consider as the reason for this patient's symptoms?
1) Loss of pubic hair
2) Urinary incontinence
3) Decreased vaginal secretions
4) Decreased pelvic muscle mass

Question 5

The nurse is assessing an older patient. Which finding should the nurse identify as an age-related change in hearing?
1) Loss of low-frequency tones
2) Loss of high-frequency tones
3) Generalized loss of all frequencies
4) Loss of high-frequency and low-frequency tones

Question 6

An older patient is experiencing shortness of breath when completing household activities. Which age-related change in the respiratory system should be used to explain this patient's symptoms? Select all that apply.
1) Loss of lung elastic recoil
2) Larger and thinner alveoli
3) Increased surface area for gas exchange
4) Thickening of the alveolar-capillary membrane
5) Reduction in the number of functioning alveoli

Question 7

An older female patient reports leaking urine when coughing and sneezing. Which should the nurse explain as the reason for this change in the urinary system?
1) Decreased bladder capacity
2) Decreased renal blood flow
3) Reduced glomerular filtration rate
4) Loss of mass and strength of pelvic muscles

Question 8

The nurse is preparing to collect data on an older patient's cardiovascular system. Which finding should the nurse identify as a normal age-related change?
1) Strong heart beat
2) Dilated blood vessels
3) Decreased cardiac output
4) Flaccid and thin heart valves

Question 9

The nurse is preparing a teaching tool about the normal physiological characteristics of aging. Which information should the nurse include?
1) It is reflective of individual diversity.
2) It is a predictable and uniform process.
3) It is primarily related to chronic disease processes.
4) It is accompanied by extreme mood swings and predictable depression.

Question 10

The nurse is assessing an older patient. Which gastrointestinal symptoms should the nurse expect the patient to report?
1) Indigestion, diarrhea, and anorexia
2) Constipation, bulimia, and indigestion
3) Indigestion, constipation, and anorexia
4) Flatulence, diarrhea, and intestinal cramps

Question 11

The nurse is caring for an older patient. Which patient characteristic should the nurse identify that reflects a psychological theory of aging?
1) Genetics
2) Nutrition
3) Personality
4) Wear and tear

Question 12

The nurse is visiting an older patient in the home. Which behavior should the nurse identify that determines this patient's ability to function?
1) Driving a car
2) Getting adequate sleep
3) Working, driving, shopping, and exercising as usual
4) Performing activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and quality of life

Question 13

The nurse is asked to explain the different theories of aging. Which physiological theory should the nurse include?
1) Continuity
2) Subculture
3) Wear and tear
4) Developmental tasks

Question 14

An older patient reports dry eyes. Which health problem is this patient at risk of developing?
1) Glaucoma
2) Eye infections
3) Corneal abrasions
4) Cataract formation

Question 15

The nurse is concerned that an older patient is experiencing age-related changes to the gastrointestinal system. What finding caused the nurse to have this concern? Select all that apply.
1) Loose teeth
2) Poor appetite
3) Feeling thirsty
4) Weak gag reflex
5) Feeling of fullness