human development chapter 24

As part of a community-wide flu vaccination program for older adults, the nurse is assisting at a vaccination clinic. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask before administering the vaccine? a. "Do you have any food allergies?" b. "Have you had the pneumococcal vaccine?" c. "Have you had the flu in the past 5 years?" d. "Do you have Medicare?‖

ANS: A An allergy to eggs is a contraindication to receiving flu vaccine grown in chick embryo cells. Choices B, C, and D are not relevant to the issue of whether the person should have a flu vaccine.

12. A couple in their sixties has assumed responsibility for raising their two grandchildren ages 9 and 12 because the children's parents died in a car accident. Which of the following is nursing interventions is a priority to help the grandparents cope with the responsibility of raising their grandchildren? a. Connecting them with the "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" support group b. Encouraging them by reminding them how they successfully raised their own children c. Volunteering to provide respite time for them as needed d. Assuring them that their stress level will lessen, as they gain confidence

ANS: A In the United States in 2012, 7 million grandparents (10%) lived with at least one grandchild. The role of grandparent frequently brings great joy and happiness at a time when the older adult feels loss; however, grandparents who rear grandchildren encounter both emotional and physical stress. Their new role as grandparent-caregiver may lead to role confusion and increased health-related problems. .... Thus, it is important for nurses to explore with these individuals what activities may help to reduce stress.Coping strategies such as accepting responsibility, self-control, positive reappraisal, planned problem-solving, and distancing may be helpful. Support groups, counseling, and education to help them manage stress more effectively are other resources that should be explored. Encouraging and supporting older adults in their caregiving role is important to help them ease the stress and strain of changes that come with the caregiving experience.

2. Which of the following statements made by a client best identifies someone who would likely to be receptive to health-promotion interventions? a. "I have a new grandchild and want to be part of her life." b. "My mother lived until she was 90, so a long life is in my genes." c. "Some chronic illness is just a part of aging." d. "I hope I'll live a lot longer, but one never knows."

ANS: A Motivation to adopt a healthy lifestyle is a primary predictor of successful interventions. Choice A depicts a patient who is motivated by a desire to be with her new grandchild. Feeling that illness is an inevitable part of aging, leaving one's health up to chance or assuming a fatalistic approach will not motivate a person to make necessary lifestyle changes. Also not likely to make changes is the person who believes that his/her own longevity is guaranteed by virtue of inheriting such genes.

16. A nurse is conducting a home visit for an older adult in the summer. Which of the following items should the nurse should locate in the home in the interest of preventing a heat stroke? a. Fan b. Porch chair c. Synthetic blend clothing d. Air thermometer

ANS: A The older adult's ability to feel changes in heat and cold may be impaired as a result of normal and pathological changes of aging. This process can cause older adults to die from the effects of excessive heat or cold. During periods of high heat and humidity, older people should increase fluid and salt intake, stay in a cool and shaded environment, remain calm, have more rest periods, and refrain from going outdoors when the temperature is higher than 90 F. Sweating, which is reduced in older adults, can be accommodated by wearing light-colored, lightweight cotton clothing Older adults are susceptible to heat stroke. The availability of a fan will help cool the ambient air. Light-weight cotton clothing ―breathes‖ and facilitates cooling, whereas synthetic material typically retains heat. The temperature can be quite hot on the porch, especially absent a fan. Remaining inside during very hot weather is recommended.

Which of the following is correct concerning heat regulation in the older adult? a. Remaining indoors where temps are 90 degrees or higher is recommended. b. Increased sweating, characteristic of older adults, increases the risk of dehydration. c. Increased use of salt, secondary to declining taste, increases the risk for heat stroke. d. The ability to feel heat and cold is typically enhanced in the elderly due to thinner skin.

ANS: A The older adult's ability to feel changes in heat and cold may be impaired as a result of normal and pathological changes of aging. This process can cause older adults to die from the effects of excessive heat or cold. During periods of high heat and humidity, older people should increase fluid and salt intake, stay in a cool and shaded environment, remain calm, have more rest periods, and refrain from going outdoors when the temperature is higher than 90 F. Sweating, which is reduced in older adults, can be accommodated by wearing light-colored, lightweight cotton clothing. If sweating ceases or is inadequate, the older person is at risk for heat stroke. Heat stroke can contribute to sepsis, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), particularly in people with diabetes. Reduced body heat can also present problems in the older adult. Symptoms of and interventions for hypothermia are listed in Box 24-9.

19. A man tells a nurse that he is concerned about his risk and his wife's risk of developing cancer. Which of the following statements concerning cancer is accurate? a. PSA assessment alone is not ideal for purposes of screening for prostate cancer. b. Breast cancer risks are lower in women who have never had children. c. Smoking does increase the risk of cancer but non-smoking tobacco products do not increase risk. d. Increased immune function to adults after age 65 impacts cancer rates.

ANS: A Theories include longer exposure to carcinogens, increased susceptibility to cancer in the older body, decreased cellular healing ability, loss of tumor-suppressing genes, and decreased immune function. There are three key components of an appropriate prostate screen: symptomatology, prostate-specific antigen level measurement, and a digital rectal examination. Women who have never had children or had their first child after age 30 appear to have an increased risk for breast cancer. Stopping smoking and other use of tobacco products are a few of the approaches that nurses can advise to promote individual wellness. PSA alone is not recommended for screening. Patients should have digital rectal exams and be questioned concerning symptoms. Both smoking and smokeless tobacco product are implicated in cancer. Immune function decreases with age.

A nurse has recently accepted the position of unit nurse manager on a long-term care unit. Which of the following directives should the nurse give to the staff nurses? a. Encourage residents to participate in unit activities such as scrabble and bingo. b. Demonstrate the caring aspect of nursing by dressing residents before breakfast. c. Discourage exercise for patients with Parkinson because it has been shown to accelerate muscle stiffness. d. Switch places at the table every 3 weeks and change roommates every 6 weeks to alleviate boredom.

ANS: A To encourage cognitive health nurses should inspire older individuals to take classes, read, engage in stimulating conversation and entertainment, keep their minds active, and continue learning throughout their lives. They are encouraged to continue with self-care activities rather than relinquish them to caregivers. Residents should be encouraged to perform self-care activities, such as dressing, themselves. When help is required, it should be provided in an unhurried manner. Elderly patients like consistency in their environment and do not relish change. Change often fosters confusion. Familiar environments and consistent routines are encouraged. Exercise has been shown to minimize many of the debilitating aspects of Parkinson's disease.

Which of the following nursing interventions implies respect for a person's spirituality? (Select all that apply.) a. Changing the position of the bed in a Muslim client's room so that it faces east b. At the request of a Buddhist patient, asking the home health aide to pick up incense when she next shops for the patient. c. Saying a silent prayer with a client, at the client's request d. Praying out loud in the room of a dying client

ANS: A, B, C Because of the highly personal quality of spirituality, an unobtrusive and sensitive presence by the nurse is needed to allow the person in any setting to achieve spiritual health. Spiritual assessment tools are available to guide nurses with questions to better understand the person's spirituality. Open-ended questions, such as, ―What is your perception of a higher being and spirituality?‖ encourage discussions about the person's innermost spirituality. The nurse can provide an environment that is supportive to the practice of the person's spirituality. Assisting older persons to actualize their spirituality can provide great comfort to the person and lead nurses to a deeper understanding of their own spirituality. Choices A, B, and C all represent unobtrusive and sensitive efforts to actualize a given patient's spirituality. Praying out loud does not demonstrate respect for a person's spirituality but imposes the nurse's belief system on the person. Home health aides appropriately shop for a patient purchasing food and/or personal supplies. Picking up incense while at the store would appropriate and consistent with this role.

The nurse working in a retirement community for older adults is conducting a psychosocial assessment of all residents to screen for depression and suicidal ideation. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask during the assessment process? (Select all that apply.) a. "Have you thought about harming yourself?" b. "Are you still playing bridge every Thursday?" c. "How does your congestive heart failure affect your life?" d. "Do you still have any money left in your IRA account"

ANS: A, B, C The National Institute of Mental Health noted that the risk of depression increases in older adults as they experience chronic illnesses and when their ability to function becomes impaired .... Depression is also caused by physiological changes in the aging body. The suicide rate for older Americans is disproportionally high in the American population. The suicide rate for men is highest in those who are age 75 or older. Risk factors for suicide include social isolation, alcohol and substance abuse, psychosis, bereavement, and serious medical illness. Many who committed suicide were found to have alcohol and/or pain-killing drugs in their bodies on autopsy.Suicide ideation, loss of interest in activities, and chronic illness are signs of, or may lead to, depression. Depression, in turn, could lead to suicide. Choices A, B, and C are all consistent with known predictors of suicide. Economic issues are not predictors of suicide in older adults.

An 80-year-old person is admitted to the hospital. During the health assessment process, the nurse should screen for which of the following conditions? (Select all that apply.) a. Polypharmacy b. Renal insufficiency c. Illegal drug use d. Alcoholism

ANS: A, B, C, D Substance abuse among Americans 60 years and older, including misuse of prescription drugs, is estimated to affect about 17% of older adults. By 2020, it is anticipated that the number of older adults with substance abuse problems will double Forty percent of adults age 65 and over drink alcohol. Alcohol and drug abuse problems among older adults have been underestimated. In Americans age 65 and older, excessive alcohol use, including binge drinking, accounts for more than 21,000 deaths each year .... Older adults are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and illicit drugs, because their systems do not detoxify and excrete as efficiently as do those of younger people. Substance and alcohol abuse are problems in the elderly population. Substance abuse, in particular, is increasing. Polypharmacy is long-standing problem with elderly population, as well. Renal insufficiency, which is common in the elderly, hampers the ability of the body to detoxify alcohol, substances and pharmaceuticals thus further exacerbating the problem.

Which of the following interventions will have the greatest impact on reducing constipation in older adults? (Select all that apply.) a. Offering strained fruit and vegetable juices to increase fiber content in the diet b. Encouraging fluids between meals c. Administering laxatives on a daily basis d. Assisting with ambulation

ANS: A, B, D Encouraging older adults to exercise and increase their fluid intake helps reduce the incidence of constipation. Integrating more fiber into the diet and eating prunes each day can also be very effective for preventing constipation.Nurses can help reduce the incidence of constipation by encouraging older adults to exercise and increase their fluid and dietary intake. Dietary modifications, such as increasing fiber and fluid intake, can stimulate the colon and resolve constipation. While pureed foods do retain fiber, straining juices to remove the pulp removes most of the fiber content. Fiber helps to prevent constipation. Increased fluid intake and exercise should be implemented before relying on medication to relieve constipation.

A nurse is conducting a community health-education program about osteoporosis with a group of older adults. Which of the following individuals in attendance is at greatest risk for developing osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.) a. 65-year-old Asian woman who smokes one pack of cigarettes per week b. 80-year-old White man who has three glasses of wine per day. c. 74-year-old White woman on daily oral prednisone for emphysema d. 68-year-old Black man who has a sedentary lifestyle

ANS: A,B,C Because of the higher risk of osteoporosis in the older population, a fall can result in a fracture. Osteoporosis is a disease of bone loss common to women age 70 and older and men age 80 and older. The disease develops six times more frequently in women than it does in men .... Risk factors for osteoporosis include a small, thin frame; White or Asian ancestry; family history; excessive thyroid medication or high doses of cortisone-like drugs for asthma, arthritis, or cancer; a diet low in dairy products and other sources of calcium; physical inactivity; smoking cigarettes; and drinking alcohol.Choices A, B, and C all depict persons with one or more risk factors. Choice D describes a patient with no risk factors.

The clinic nurse has seen the following four widows today. Which of the following persons is demonstrating a healthy coping pattern for her loss? a. The widow who discusses very little except the loss of her husband 3 years ago b. The widow who talks about the "good times" she and her husband had before his illness and death 1 year ago c. The widow who states that life is not worth living without the husband, who died 2 years ago d. The widow who blames herself for her husband's death because she did not "make him go" to the doctor

ANS: B An individual's ability to cope with the common stresses of older adulthood is a key factor in maintaining self-concept. As people age, they tend to encounter many losses, such as the loss of a home, spouses, friends, siblings, and even children. The nurse who cares for the older adult can provide support during the coping process related to these losses. Trying to find the positive and developmental benefits of losses is preferable to continually thinking about a loss or bad event. Negative associations have been found between depressive symptoms and rumination, catastrophizing, and self-blame. After assessing the most appropriate way in which the individual desires to cope with a situation, the nurse may help create a suitable environment for coping.Choice ―B‖ depicts a widow who has a positive focus, not withstanding the loss of her husband one year ago. She focuses on positive memories pertaining to her deceased husband. Choices A, C, and D all depict widows with a very negative outlook or a negative focus, as it pertains to the loss of their husbands.

Which of the following statements is the best definition of polypharmacy? a. The use of more than five medications prescribed by different physicians b. The use of multiple medications for the same or different health problems c. The use of multiple pharmacies and self-management of medications. d. The use of multiple medications and supplements simultaneously

ANS: B Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications for the same or for different health problems, is a major concern for older adults. Approximately one-third of older adults in the United States take 5 or more prescription drugs.Polypharmacy is a major concern for elderly people, with the rate of polypharmacy in this population being between 9% and 39%. The fact that medications are prescribed by different licensed providers is not a hallmark for polypharmacy. Neither is there a specific number, i.e., 5 medications. The fact that multiple medications are prescribed for the same or different health problems is consistent with polypharmacy. No specific number is specified in the definition but commonly the elderly have very large numbers of medications prescribed for them.

A woman who is being discharged from the hospital is oriented to person, place, and time, and her memory is intact. She has occasional forgetfulness without a consistent pattern of memory loss. Which of the following housing options would be most appropriate for this woman? a. Independent living b. Retirement community c. Assisted living d. Nursing facility

ANS: B Retirement community living is suited for a person who is oriented to person, place, and time and has a memory that is intact. This individual may experience occasional forgetfulness without a consistent pattern of memory loss. Independent living may be appropriate for the person if she had a consistent pattern of memory loss. Assisted living or nursing facility living may be appropriate if the woman has difficulty with orientation to person, place, or time or has difficulty with confusion that results in anxiety, social withdrawal, or depression. Nursing facility is appropriate for patients who require much more extensive care up to and including total care.

Which of the following measure is appropriate for treating urinary incontinence? a. Increase caffeine to tighten urinary sphincter. b. Utilize voiding schedules. c. Decrease fiber to lessen pressure on the bladder from the colon. d. Avoid pilates, which have been shown to inflame pelvic floor in the elderly.

ANS: B Voiding schedules are appropriate in treating incontinence. Caffeine will worsen incontinence. Increased fiber may help to improve constipation-related incontinence; decreasing fiber will increase risks for constipation and thus may worsen incontinence. Pilates have been shown to improve incontinence for some patients.

Which of the following factors would be considered predictors of satisfaction with retirement? (Select all that apply.) a. Participation in competitive sports but most especially golf b. Adequate income c. Having grandchildren d. Good functional ability

ANS: B, D Hooyman and Kiyak (2011) noted a variety of factors that were predictors of satisfaction with retirement. Those factors included good health and functional ability, adequate income, a suitable living environment, a strong social support system, and a positive outlook. While many retired persons do, in fact enjoy their grandchildren, having grandchildren is not a predictor of satisfaction in retirement. Some happily retired persons have no grandchildren while others rarely interact with their grandchildren. Still others may feel burdened by a need to become caregivers for the grandchildren. An interest in sports, including golf, also has no predictive value for satisfaction in retirement. Many happily retired persons have absolutely no interest in sports including golf. They may have wide and varied interests in the form of hobbies and other pursuits.

A nurse is conducting a staff development program about human sexuality for nurses who work in a long-term care facility. Which of the following statements is accurate? a. "The desire for sexual intimacy declines rapidly with age." b. "Older adults are very well-informed about sexuality." c. "Older adults need to practice safe sex." d. "The danger of contracting STDs during sexual intimacy is extremely low in older adults."

ANS: C

7. A nurse is conducting a community education program about cognition in older adults. Which of the following information should be included? a. Some form of mild dementia is a normal part of aging. b. Confusion is a reliable indicator of dementia. c. Assessment for dementia should be part of routine physical exams. d. Elders who score below 27 points on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) are not likely to have a cognition problem.

ANS: C Cognitive alterations are key symptoms that indicate changes in physiological function among older persons. Confusion is not always an indicator of dementia can result from many other causes to include electrolyte imbalance, diabetes, and hypoxia. Accordingly, assessmentof cognition is an important part of routine assessments. Dementia is not a normal part of aging and dementia symptoms vary according to the specific type of dementia. A score of 23 or lower on the MMSE indicates a problem with cognition.

According to Erikson's theory of development, which of the following older adults has successfully navigated the stage of ego integrity versus despair? a. 72-year-old man who is reluctant to retire because "Work is everything to me" b. 78-year-old woman who has scheduled her third face lift c. 80-year-old man who has informed his children that he has made his funeral arrangements d. 67-year-old woman who is depressed because she has not been promoted at work for the past 10 years

ANS: C Ego integrity versus despair is the developmental stage of older adults. The quality associated with successful passage of this stage is to achieve a balance between integrity and despair. ―The process of bringing into balance feelings of integrity and despair involves a review of and a coming to terms with the life one has lived thus far.‖abBirba.scoemd/toesnt the increasing life span, this stage of development was expanded into three additional stages: ego differentiation versus work role preoccupation, which involves achieving identity apart from work; body transcendence versus body preoccupation, which focuses on adjusting to normal aging changes; and ego transcendence versus ego preoccupation, which involves accepting death. Successfully navigating the stage of ego integrity versus despair requires that the individual accept normal bodily changes associated with aging, find meaning in life apart from work, accepts the inevitability of death, and is at peace with his or her life. Choices A, B, and D do not depict individuals who are transitioning well to their advancing years.

Which of the following statements concerning urinary incontinence is correct? a. Urge incontinence occurs when one has the urge to void but is unable to do so. b. Stress incontinence is associated with emotional turmoil. c. Functional incontinence is associated with environmental barriers. d. Incontinence with high post-void residual occurs when someone laughs or sneezes.

ANS: C Functional incontinence is associated with environmental barriers, physical limitations, or cognitive impairment in which the care recipient is unable to reach the toilet. Stress incontinence occurs when someone coughs or sneezes. Urge incontinence occurs when someone cannot wait to void, once the urge to void is felt. Urge, mixed, or stress incontinence with high post-void residual is caused by physiological changes that affect voiding, such as an enlarged prostate gland.

A community health nurse is working with a diverse population of older adults within the community. Based on the data from the National Health Interview Survey, which of the following assumptions should be made by the nurse when working with this diverse population? a. White Non-Hispanic older adults tend to require more assistance with their activities of daily living. b. Hispanic older adults tend to rate their health as poorer than other ethnic groups. c. Older adults who tend to rate their health as fair or poor are also financially poor. d. Older adults tend to require more assistance with activities of daily living than with meeting their routine needs.

ANS: C In all groups, those who described their health as fair or poor were also more likely to be financially poor, with 40% of White older adults, 51.6% of Black older adults, 53.4% of Hispanic older adults, and 45.6% of Asian older adults who reported their health status as fair or poor also being financially poor.Choice C is supported by data from the National Health Interview Survey. The data contradict all of the other choices.

The son of a 70-year-old man dying of cancer asks the nurse to tell him about the hospice program, so he can help his father decide if the program would be of benefit to him. Which of the following responses should be given by the nurse? a. "At hospice, your father will be heavily medicated, so he will not have pain." b. "All of your father's care will be provided by nurses at hospice." c. "Hospice care can take place either at home or in a hospice facility." d. "Visiting hours are about the same at hospice as they are here in the hospital."

ANS: C Once the person is placed in hospice care, treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms is continued but the person and their physician have decided to end all curative treatment .... The majority of hospice care provided in 2010 was in the person's home (41.1%), followed by a hospice inpatient facility (21.9%), nursing home (18%), and acute-care hospital (11.4%). Hospice services provided include direct clinical care for persons and bereavement services for the person and their family. Hospice persons are empowered to live with dignity, alert, and free of pain. The goal of hospice care is to facilitate a ―good death for individuals. Families and loved ones are consistently engaged in caregiving for the dying and helping them maintain the highest possible quality of life. The focus of hospice care is to help the person remain alert but free of pain. Families are encouraged to participate in care giving. There are no restrictions to visiting hours.

A nurse is assigned to provide care for a 96-year-old bedridden man who experiences severe pain from a chronic neurological disease. The man asks the nurse to please help him leave this world so that his suffering will end. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take? a. Assist the doctor with the man's request. b. Refuse to care for the man. c. Contact the pain care specialist. d. Provide the man with names of doctors who participate in assisted suicide.

ANS: C The suicide rate for older Americans is disproportionally high in the American population. Many older adults have serious medical illnesses that provide an explanation for wanting to die. Nurses caring for chronically ill older adults have the added responsibility of determining who is at risk for wanting physician-assisted suicide and helping them to be as comfortable as possible and free of pain through the use of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Nurses are instrumental in ensuring that the older person experiences a pain-free death by advocating for an appropriate pain-management program and working with other health care professionals toward this goal.Refusing to care for the man could be construed as abandonment and is not appropriate in any event. If the patient's pain is controlled, he may have less focus on suicide. Consulting a pain care specialist is the correct action.

1. A nurse is planning to write a grant for a health promotion project the community. Which of considerations should the nurse make when determining the appropriate population for this project? a. The fastest growing population is children under the age of 12. b. The fastest growing population is young Black American adults. c. The fastest growing population is White middle-age adults. d. The fastest growing population is non-White older adults age 65 and older.

ANS: D Adults age 85 and older are the fastest growing population in the United States, and the percentage of White Americans greater than age 65 is decreasing compared with other ethnic groups.

A person is preparing to return home following a 2-week hospital stay for congestive heart failure and pneumonia. Which of the following referrals would be most beneficial for the person? a. Transportation assistance b. Home-delivered meals c. Adult day care d. Home health nursing

ANS: D Home care nurses provide health care information and services to individuals and families. The resources available to community health nurses are often extensive and enable the nurses to draw on a variety of sources to assist in promoting the health of community-dwelling older adults. Although all of the referrals listed may be of benefit to the person, the home health nurse will provide the most comprehensive services. The nurse will be able to connect the person to necessary community resources.

9. Which of the following statements is correct concerning the "obesity paradox" as it pertains to older adults? a. Obesity in older adults is more detrimental than it is for younger adults. b. Unlike younger people, fruits and vegetables cause obesity in elderly people. c. Obesity in older adults is not related to caloric intake or exercise. d. Obesity in older adults is not clearly linked with shorter life span.

ANS: D It is important to recognize, however, that scientists have described a phenomenon called ―the obesity paradox,‖ in which obesity in older adults, unlike in younger individuals, does not appear to be clearly associated with a shorter life span. Some studies have suggested that the ―ideal‖ protective weight might be higher in the older population. There is still much debate about this, however, and since obesity is clearly linked to a lesser quality of life, it is important to discuss options for weight reduction. During weight loss, muscle is lost, as well as fat. This is an important consideration when planning a weight loss program for older adults since, as a result of normal aging and often deconditioning, they are likely to have less muscle mass and more fat than when they were younger. Fruits and vegetables are encouraged for everyone. Obesity is related to caloric take and energy expenditure (exercise), also for everyone. Obesity in younger adults is clearly detrimental to health. It may not be as detrimental for older adults especially given the concept of ideal protective weight.

A 75-year-old man tells the nurse that he has difficulty staying asleep during the night. Which of the following responses should be made by the nurse? a. "It is best to avoid milk or reading before bedtime." b. "I'll ask the nurse practitioner to prescribe a sleeping pill for you." c. "Taking naps during the day can help relieve excessive fatigue and will help you sleep better." d. "Let's talk about your sleep schedule and things that may prevent you from getting a restful night's sleep."

ANS: D Nurses should assist older adults in achieving a good night sleep through assessment which might reveal possible causes of sleep disturbances. Bedtime rituals to include a glass of milk or reading have been shown to promote sleep. Daytime naps may prevent sleeping adequately at night. Medications to assist in sleeping are not the initial therapy choice because of side effects.

The community health nurse has obtained a grant to offer a "Safe Driving" series for older adults. Which of the following information should the nurse stress during the series? a. Traffic fatalities involving older adults occur mainly at dusk. b. The cause of two-vehicle accidents is frequently an older driver striking another car c. The average blood alcohol level in older adults involved in accidents is higher than the blood alcohol level of younger drivers involved in accidents d. Relearning the art of defensive driving can reduce the likelihood that an older driver will be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

ANS: D There is a decline in defensive driving as opposed to an increase in aggressive driving among older adults. Older adults are encouraged to take a Seniors Driving Safety Course to learn how aging changes can affect their driving and strategies for safer driving. Traffic fatalities involving older adults occur mainly during the daytime. The cause of two vehicle accidents is frequently a younger driver striking the car driven by an older adult. The average blood alcohol level in older adults involved in accidents is lower than the blood alcohol level of younger drivers involved in accidents

Which of the following statements concerning nutrition and older adults is true? a. Older adults who live in their own homes are more likely to be malnourished than older adults living in a nursing home. b. Older adults lose their desire for high-fat, salty foods. c. Meals served in long-term care institutions are usually more well balanced than foods eaten by older adults living at home. d. Many older adults are not aware of food assistance programs.

ANS: D When the economy declines, there is an increase in unemployment and poverty and more people need help buying nutritious food. SNAP can provide needed help but many people who are eligible for SNAP benefits, including 67% of struggling older adults, do not apply. Only 3 out of 5 older adults who qualify for SNAP actually use it, which means that 5.2 million seniors are missing out on benefits of the program. Some older adults are too embarrassed to apply and others think it is too difficult to apply or do not even know the program exists. Research shows that the percentage of malnourished older adults who live in their own homes is lower than that of older adults who live in a nursing home. Moreover, fresh fruits and vegetables are not always available for older adults living in nursing homes. Older adults do not lose their desire for foods high in fat, cholesterol, or sodium.