Deck 1: Principles of Gerontology

Question 1

The family of an older male patient asks why the patient needs to be hospitalized for pneumonia when the youngest daughter had the same infection a few months ago and was treated at home. How should the nurse respond to the family?
1) "The patient has chronic illnesses that put him at risk."
2) "I don't think you can compare your grandfather to yourself."
3) "There are some differences between men and women and illness."
4) "Aging decreases the body's ability to restore balance to body systems with an infection."

Answer 1

4

Question 2

A patient takes herbal and vitamin supplements in order to "slow down" the aging process. The nurse realizes that the patient believes in the use of antioxidants to slow down cell damage. Which is associated with the biological theory of aging?
1) Cross-link
2) Wear-and-tear
3) Free radical
4) Emerging biological

Answer 2

3

Question 3

The nurse is planning a program about the Immunological Theory of Aging for a group of senior citizens. Which information should the nurse include in this program? Select all that apply.
1) Restrict spending time with others who are ill.
2) A healthy diet supports immune function.
3) An active lifestyle supports immune function in the older person.
4) Immune responses increase with aging.
5) Obtaining an annual influenza vaccination supports immune function.

Answer 3

1, 2, 3, 5

Question 4

A patient voices concerns about her body weight despite diligently following a healthy diet. Which age-related change would explain this patient's issue with body weight?
1) Body fat increases until middle age.
2) Body weight increases after middle age.
3) Fat is redistributed to the hips after middle age.
4) Body fat promotes a pear-shaped appearance for aging women.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for an older client with heart disease that is experiencing fatigue. Which will the nurse initially implement to enhance the overall quality of life and functional ability of the client?
1) Assess the need for assistive devices
2) Provide education on health screenings
3) Reinforce the importance of rehabilitation
4) Instruct the client on techniques for self-management

Question 6

The nurse is preparing to discharge an older client with instructions on smoking cessation. The nurse states to a colleague, "This client has been smoking for years and isn't going to stop now." Which negative stereotype of aging does the nurse's statement most reflect?
1) Old people are expected to be sick.
2) Old people are set in their ways.
3) Old people do not value health promotion education.
4) Old people are a drain on societal resources.

Question 7

A 60-year-old patient in good health has asked the nurse about what steps can be taken to build muscle mass. What information should be provided to the patient?
1) Exercise can slow the loss of muscle mass.
2) Increasing protein and fat intake will increase muscle mass.
3) Muscle mass declines by 40% between the ages of 30 and 70.
4) There is little that can be done to reduce the loss of muscle mass associated with aging.

Question 8

A graduate nurse is nervous about caring for older adult patients because of the personality changes that occur with aging. How should the nurse's preceptor respond to this statement?
1) "Personality tends to stay stable through life, rarely showing signs of change during final years."
2) "The losses many elderly experience understandably will impact their personality."
3) "The personalities of the elderly do undergo some significant changes after the eighth decade of life."
4) "After retirement, feelings of disuse cause many elderly to begin demonstrating personality changes."

Question 9

A nursing student is preparing a program to review health concerns for seniors. Which statement should the student include in the presentation?
1) "Heart disease is the leading cause of death for senior citizens."
2) "Decreases have been shown in the rate of Alzheimer's disease."
3) "The rate of heart-disease death for senior citizens is steadily increasing."
4) "Cancer is currently steady within the senior citizen population."

Question 10

The nurse provides care to patients in a long-term care facility that embraces the Continuity Theory of Aging. Which actions will the nurse plan to promote this theory? Select all that apply.
1) Plan rest periods between activities.
2) Introduce patients to a wide variety of new activities.
3) Encourage family members to visit with the patients.
4) Suggest participating only in activities that bring satisfaction.
5) Remind patients that withdrawing from activities is expected.

Question 11

An older patient is refusing to receive the influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations because he believes he is "too old." How should the nurse respond to this patient?
1) "I understand your feelings."
2) "I will report your concerns to the physician."
3) "You are likely to get sick if you do not take the vaccines."
4) "It is never too late in life to begin health promotion activities."

Question 12

The nurse is caring for an older adult with a chronic disease. Which is reflective of a tertiary intervention to help slow down the progression of the client's illness?
1) Assess the client's mobility
2) Integrate physical therapy
3) Discuss injury-prevention measures within the home
4) Obtain a referral for occupational therapy

Question 13

Jung's theory of individualism focuses on the client's inner psychological state in regards to aging. When assessing an older client, the nurse might find which thoughts? Select all that apply.
1) Signs of sadness and depression
2) Questions about nutrition and vitamins
3) Regrets on not accomplishing more in life
4) A belief that past injuries have altered their abilities
5) Concerns that damaged cells are slowing down their body

Question 14

The nurse at an assisted-living facility is planning secondary prevention activities for a group of residents at risk for cardiac problems. Which activities would be appropriate for this level of care? Select all that apply.
1) Blood pressure monitoring
2) Demonstration on the use of walkers and canes
3) Explanation on why the use of alcohol should be avoided
4) Discussion with a dietitian for elevated cholesterol levels
5) Discussion with a physical therapist on weight-bearing activities

Question 15

A patient who is new to Medicare has been reviewing coverage for health screening tests. Which statements indicate the patient understands the recommendations provided by Medicare? Select all that apply.
1) "I can have a Pap smear once a year."
2) "I can have a mammogram once a year."
3) "I can have a colonoscopy every 15 years."
4) "I can have fecal occult blood testing every 2 years."
5) "I can have bone mass screening every 2 years if I'm at risk."

Question 16

While completing an admission assessment, the nurse learns that a female adult patient has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years and works at a chemical plant. From this information, what is this patient most at risk for?
1) Decline in muscle mass
2) Nutritional deficiencies
3) Depression and social isolation
4) Occupational hazard shortening life expectancy

Question 17

The nurse is assessing an older female patient admitted to the hospital for generalized weakness and a cough. Which assessment findings indicate normal changes of aging? Select all that apply.
1) Blood pressure of 160/90
2) Needing to urinate every 3 hours
3) Needing to wear eye glasses for reading
4) Pulse rate 110 bpm
5) Respiratory rate 22 per minute after walking a short distance

Question 18

A 62-year-old former professional football player is in the hospital for a total knee replacement as a result of wear and tear and a medical diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Which biological theory of aging would help explain this patient's current health problem?
1) Cross-link
2) Free radical
3) Wear-and-tear
4) Somatic DNA damage

Question 19

The nurse is planning to conduct education for older adult clients regarding preventative health screenings. Which type of screening does the nurse anticipate educating this population on?
1) Glaucoma
2) Nutrition
3) An annual mammogram
4) Prostate-specific antigen

Question 20

Jung's theory focuses on a person's inability to accept past accomplishments and failures. When assessing a client, which statement supports this theory of a patient's belief?
1) "I am having trouble finding the right bowling league since I retired."
2) "I joined a sewing club with my older sister but don't always feel like going."
3) "I lost my husband to a younger, more attractive woman about 4 years ago."
4) "I still get up every morning to go walking, but I miss my dog since she died."

Question 21

The nurse is working on a care area that focuses on tertiary prevention. Which goal is most consistent with this focus?
1) Patients at risk for skin breakdown will be turned every 2 hours.
2) Patients with pressure ulcers will have whirlpool therapy as indicated.
3) Patients will be assessed for factors that place them at risk for skin breakdown.
4) Patients are instructed to change positions in bed every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown.

Question 22

The nurse is preparing a care plan for an older African American patient at risk for colon cancer. What should be included in the plan of care?
1) Colonoscopy every 2 years
2) Serum cancer marker testing every year
3) Flexible sigmoidoscopy testing annually
4) Fecal occult blood screening every 2 years

Question 23

After completing an assessment, the nurse is concerned that a middle-aged patient is at risk for having a chronic illness later in life. What did the nurse assess in this patient? Select all that apply.
1) Has a blood pressure reading of 150/90
2) Goes out with friends for a drink once per week
3) Smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day for the last 25 years
4) Has a history of lower back pain
5) Works as a laboratory technologist

Question 24

The nurse is planning a program for community members to highlight the Healthy People 2020 areas applicable to older people. Which topics would the nurse include in this program? Select all that apply.
1) The importance of performing monthly breast exams
2) How to cook healthy food safely
3) Tobacco and Smoking Cessation techniques
4) Employment and occupational hazards
5) Heart healthy lifestyle choices

Question 25

The nurse recognizes that clients admitted to the unit are associated with nationwide demographic trends. Which statement supports this observation?
1) Diabetes is most prevalent in the Caucasian community.
2) Hispanic patients have a greater incidence of obesity.
3) African-American patients have a lower incidence of hypertension.
4) Caucasians are more likely than African Americans to have limitations with ADLs when chronically ill.