Ch 8: Care of the Older Adult PrepU

A nurse is caring for a client with dementia. A family member of the client asks what the most common cause of dementia is. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

"The most common cause of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer's disease."

An older female client is concerned because of experiencing vaginal bleeding after having intercourse. Which response will the nurse make to this client?

"The vaginal tissues are dryer with aging."

The nurse notes that an older adult adds salt to all foods before eating a meal. Which question would the nurse ask this client?

"Have you tried adding herbs, garlic, or lemon to foods for added flavor?"

A client has recently brought her elderly mother home to live with her family. The client states that her mother has moderate Alzheimer's disease and asks about appropriate activities for her mother. The nurse tells the client to:

Ensure that the mother does not have access to car keys or drive an automobile.

When assessing an older adult's gastrointestinal system, the nurse would identify an increase in which of the following as normal?

Feeling of fullness

The reason that governments carefully regulate treatment given in licensed health care facilities, particularly long-term care facilities, is expressed by which statement?

Older adult clients are vulnerable.

A department of nursing within a health care organization is adopting the Functional Consequences Theory when caring for older adults. Which action would the nurse take to faciliate using this theory when caring for a client?

Plan interventions to address consequences of age-related changes.

Which neurotransmitter is implicated in depression?

Seratonin

The nurse is participating with an interdisciplinary team to discuss an older adult's development of geriatric syndromes. Which specific health issues will this team discuss? Select all that apply.

Stays awake most of the night New onset of a pressure injury Urine incontinence during the night Incontinent of stool after breakfast Recent fall walking out of the bathroom

A client at an extended-care facility who has Alzheimer's disease is awake throughout the night. The nurse intervenes with activities that will promote sleep at night, which include:

Walking the client in the facility yard during the day

A client reports to the nurse that her grandmother with Alzheimer's disease recently moved in with her and her two school-aged children. The client states the grandmother becomes agitated and starts yelling and crying frequently. The woman asks, "What can I do?" The nurse first responds:

"What precipitates the outbursts?"

The nurse is preparing an elderly hospitalized client for discharge to home within the hour. What should be the priority for the nurse?

Assess the need for pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations.

An elderly client with heart failure reports constipation that has progressively worsened over the last several months. The client's vital signs are pulse 86 beats per minute, blood pressure 94/56, and respirations 18 breaths per minute. It would be best for the nurse to instruct the client to:

Avoid straining when having a bowel movement.

Students are preparing a class presentation on elder abuse. Which of the following would they include as the most common type of elder abuse?

Neglect

Which condition is characterized by a decline in intellectual functioning?

Dementia

Which is an age-related change associated with the cardiovascular system?

Decreased cardiac output

An older adult voids a small amount of urine in the toilet but experiences a large volume of incontinence while walking back to the bed. Which nursing intervention would be appropriate for this client?

Implement a prompted, timed voiding schedule.

The nurse identifies which of the following as an age-related change in the respiratory system?

Increased residual lung volume

An elderly female client has been taking prednisone for breathing problems for many years. The nurse notes that the client's current height is 64 inches. Two years ago, her height was 66 inches. The nurse assesses this loss in height is most likely the result of:

Loss of bone density

Older adults, who are more subject to falls, may fracture one or more ribs and be more susceptible to which condition after a rib fracture?

Pneumonia

Which refers to the decrease in lens flexibility that occurs with age, resulting in the near point of focus getting farther away?

Presbyopia

Which is a factor that contributes to urinary incontinence in older female adults?

Relaxed perineal muscle

A nurse is completing the history and physical examination of an older adult patient. When assessing the patient's eyes, which of the following would the nurse document as a normal finding?

Reports of being sensitive to glare

An age-related change associated with the cardiovascular system is:

decreased cardiac output.

A nurse is preparing a presentation for a local senior center about the health status of older adults. What trends in health promotion and disease prevention activities would the nurse explain as contributing to declining death rates in the older adult population? Select all that apply:

decreased smoking improved nutrition screening for hypertension early detection of elevated cholesterol levels

A department of nursing within a health care organization is adopting the Functional Consequences Theory when caring for older adults. Which action would the nurse take to facilitate using this theory when caring for a client?

Plan interventions to address consequences of age-related changes.

The nurse is caring for an older adult who is prescribed bed rest. Which action will the nurse take to prevent the development of impaired mobility?

Encourage the client to perform active range-of-motion exercises.

The family of an older adult seeks medical attention for the client because of an increase in inappropriate responses and avoidance of social interactions. On which body area will the nurse focus when assessing the client?

Hearing

A nurse is providing a fall prevention clinic for a group of older adults. What information should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

Place grab bars in the shower and tub Have routine vision and hearing screenings Wear nonslip shoes or socks when walking Review medications routinely for side effects