Deck 21: Gerotechnology

Question 1

As a nurse, you are providing hospital discharge instructions to an older adult, Lou, who is illiterate. Which of the following strategies should you use with Lou?

A) Use precise medical terms.
B) Offer only limited necessary information in short words and sentences.
C) Encourage the person to repeat back the information.
D) Use audiovisuals.
E) Provide written information at a 12th-grade reading level.

Answer 1

B, C, D

Question 2

You are instructing an older adult, Stella, at a workshop in a local senior center on how to use the Internet. Which of the following age-related changes in memory should you keep in mind as you work with Stella?

A) More time and effort is required for older adults to memorize new information.
B) It takes longer for older adults to retrieve information from memory.
C) If the older adult does not have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, there likely will be no changes in memory.
D) Age affects long-term memory but not short-term memory.
E) Memory training programs can improve mental performance.

Answer 2

A, B, E

Question 3

As a dietitian, you are providing instruction regarding a healthy diet to an older patient with a visual impairment in a long-term care facility. Which of the following approaches should you take with this patient? Select all that apply.

A) Face the patient when speaking.
B) Use a typeface of 10 to 12 points in written materials.
C) Present several concepts at once.
D) Do not stand in front of a window during the presentation.
E) Use audio resources and braille materials.

Answer 3

A, D, E

Question 4

As a dietitian, you are working with an older patient, Teresa, who has deficits in taste and smell. Teresa, who has hypertension and diabetes, complains that food just tastes bland to her. Which of the following should you encourage Teresa to use to enhance the taste of her food? Select all that apply.

A) Spices
B) Salt
C) Sugar
D) Vinegar
E) Herbs

Question 5

As a physical therapist, you are communicating with an older resident of an assisted living facility, Andy, who is hard of hearing. Which of the following approaches should you adopt in your communication with Andy?

A) Speak slowly and distinctly.
B) Raise the pitch of your voice.
C) Play some background music to help the patient relax.
D) Shout to make sure the patient hears you.

Question 6

You are trying to provide instruction to a patient, Alice, who has recently suffered from a stroke and has difficulty comprehending speech. Which of the following approaches should you take in communicating with Alice?

A) Use words of 3 or more syllables.
B) Proceed from simple concepts to more complex.
C) Restrict sentences to 20 words or less.
D) Use the passive voice and past tense.

Question 7

Describe how you would set up a physical learning environment to best facilitate teaching of older adults.