Deck 9: Hydration and Continence

Question 1

Which of the following is a true statement about dehydration in an older person?

A)Urine flow gradually decreases in an older person.
B)Older persons generally need less fluid than younger people, because of their lower body water content.
C)Urine specific gravity and skin turgor can be used to diagnose dehydration in older persons and in younger people.
D)Multiple physiological changes of aging place older persons at greater risk of dehydration than middle-aged persons or children.

Answer 1

Multiple physiological changes of aging place older persons at greater risk of dehydration than middle-aged persons or children.

Question 2

Which one of the following is part of a program for addressing bowel incontinence in an older person?

A)Place the older person on the toilet or commode first thing upon wakening.
B)Provide a diet containing 2 g of fibre and 1000 mL of water each day.
C)Expect a rapid and full recovery of continence of the bowel.
D)Provide patient teaching about exercises to strengthen abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.

Answer 2

Provide patient teaching about exercises to strengthen abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.

Question 3

The nurse wants to begin helping an older person who is overweight and has urinary incontinence, with healthy bladder behaviour skills.Which intervention should the nurse implement?

A)Begin low-calorie diet for weight management.
B)Schedule voiding at two- to four-hour intervals.
C)Instruct the older person to practise abdominal exercises.
D)Reduce the time between an urge to void and voiding.

Answer 3

Schedule voiding at two- to four-hour intervals.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true about fluid intake for older persons?

A)An older person's daily total volume should be 1000 to 1500 mL.
B)Coffee is a suitable beverage for maintaining hydration.
C)Sports drinks should not be consumed, because they contain too much sugar.
D)The amount of fluid offered with medication administration should be standardized (at least 100 mL) for an older person.

Question 5

The nurse evaluates the urinalysis (UA) of an older female patient who has an indwelling urinary catheter.The UA report shows gross contamination of the urine.Which one of the following actions should the nurse implement first?

A)Provide perineal hygiene.
B)Provide urinary catheter care.
C)Check the duration of catheterization.
D)Obtain a urine specimen from a sterile port.

Question 6

An older person who is on bedrest has tachycardia and dry mucous membranes, and decreased urinary output after surgery.Which of the following situations is the nurse's priority for preventive care because of the patient's fluid volume status?

A)Bowel obstruction
B)Delirious behaviour
C)Thromboembolic events
D)Delayed wound healing

Question 7

An older female adult tells the nurse practitioner that she fears her family will place her in a nursing home because she developed stress incontinence.Which recommendation should the nurse implement?

A)Tell her to eliminate the use of caffeinated beverages.
B)Coordinate a family conference with the older person.
C)Recommend exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.
D)Schedule voiding for every two hours around the clock.

Question 8

Which one of the following increases the risk for chronic dehydration in older persons?

A)Overuse of diuretics
B)Poor cognitive function
C)Dry mucous membranes
D)Fluid loss from vomiting

Question 9

The nurse assesses an older male resident in a nursing home for urinary incontinence and determines that he is unaware of the problem.Which recommendation should the nurse implement?

A)Limit the resident's oral fluid intake.
B)Provide scheduled (timed) toileting.
C)Apply an absorbent undergarment.
D)Encourage frequent rest periods.

Question 10

The most important aspect of care for the nurse to maintain when assisting an older person with urinary incontinence is which one of the following?

A)Ensure the availability of protective rubber garments.
B)Use indwelling urinary catheters.
C)Use smooth muscle relaxants.
D)Maintain a respectful and positive attitude about resolving the underlying problem.

Question 11

Which type of incontinence is characterized by a large residual urine volume?

A)Urge incontinence
B)Stress incontinence
C)Overflow incontinence
D)Functional incontinence

Question 12

Which one of the following signs and symptoms is characteristic of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in an older person?

A)Fever
B)Dysuria
C)Anorexia
D)Flank pain