Chapter 24 & 33 Study Guide
When was the Social Security Act, which was the first major legislation providing financial security for older adults, passed?
1935
The nurse recognizes that a term referring to mechanical difficulty of swallowing is ___________.
dysphagia
The nursing student is discussing older adults. Which statement demonstrates an understanding of the population?
"Approximately 33% of all Americans have impaired hearing." "Most older adults have at least weekly contact with family." "Most older people have at least one chronic condition and rate their health as 'good'."
What description of the term dementia is most appropriate?
A progressive impairment of intellectual function that interferes with normal activities
What is the result of a slowing of the impulse transmission in the nervous system?
Longer reaction time
What is the leading cause of death in young adults?
Accidents
Which theory of aging suggests that the older person who is more socially active is more likely to adjust well to aging?
Activity theory
When discussing aging, to whom does the term older adulthood apply?
Age 65 and older
What is the correct term for prejudice against older adults?
Ageism
Which statements are myths that have been disproved concerning aging?
All older adults are senile. Most older adults live in their own homes. Older adults are poor.
What is the most common cause of dementia?
Alzheimer disease
When assessing the skin of an older adult patient who is complaining of pruritus, what should the nurse advise the patient to avoid to reduce further drying of her skin?
Antibacterial soap
Which theory of aging suggest that the body becomes less able to tolerate the "self"?
Autoimmunity theory
Which theory of aging suggest that previously developed coping abilities and the ability to maintain previous rolls and activities are critical to adjustment to old age?
Continuity theory
What theory claims that there is a hereditary basis for aging?
Biological programming theory
What is the best test to identify the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women?
Bone density scan
An older adult is having difficulty swallowing. What position should the nurse recommend to aid in swallowing?
Chin down
Which areas are affected only minimally by age?
Cognition
The older adult patient complains to the nurse about nocturia. This problem is most likely related to:
Decrease in bladder capacity
The nurse reminds an older adult patient that the task for the older adult is to achieve ego integrity. Failure to achieve this task result in which of the following?
Despair
Which theory of aging suggest that there should be a natural withdrawal between the individual and society?
Disengagement theory
When communicating with an older adult patient, the nurse becomes aware of the fact that the patient is well satisfied with his accomplishments over a lifetime and has no regrets concerning aging. Which of Erikson's developmental stages has the patient achieved?
Ego integrity
Because thin skin and lack of subcutaneous fat predisposes the older adult to pressure ulcers, the nurse alters the care plan to include turning the bedfast patient how often?
Every 2 hours
How often does a 76-year-old need a screening for preventative health?
Every year
When assessing the home for fall risk and increase safety for an 85-year-old, what should be a suggestion for the home health nurse?
Excess furniture be removed
When the nurse discusses prevention of cardiac disease, falls, and depression with a group of older adults, the benefits of what are important to stress?
Exercisee
For what is the older adult patient at increased risk because of age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system?
Falls related to posture changes
At mealtime, the older adult seems to be eating less food than would be adequate. Compared to the younger adult, what is a requirement for the older adult?
Fewer calories
According to the "disengagement theory," people who are aging:
Gradually withdraw from society
A change of aging related to the circulatory system includes decreased blood vessel elasticity. For what should the nurse assess?
Hypertension
Which change is suggestive of osteoporosis?
Increase curvature of the spine and decreased height
When assessing the older adult, the nurse considers which aspect of the patient's routine as a possible contributor to constipation?
Intake of antacids several times a day
What is one positive aspect of Parkinson disease?
Intellectual function is not impaired
Erikson identifies intimacy as a developmental task of adulthood. What will occur if intimacy is not established?
Isolation
The nurse recognizes that an older adult patient with COPD has a higher incidence of developing which age-related skeletal change that will alter the ability to exchange air effectively?
Kyphosis
The older patient informs the nurse that food has no taste and therefore the patient has no appetite. What is this most likely caused by?
Loss of taste buds
When communicating with an older adult patient who has difficulty hearing, how should the nurse change her speech?
Lower the tone of the voice
A 53-year-old woman complains of night sweats and mood swings. The nurse recognizes that these symptoms most likely relate to which condition?
Menopause
When an older female patient complains of painful sexual intercourse, what should the nurse recognize as the probable cause?
Mucosal drying
The nurse is performing a routine physical assessment on the 25-year-old understands that the patient is most likely experiencing which of the following?
Optimal level of functioning
The nurse is assisting an older adult patient out of bed when suddenly the patient begins to fall. What is the likely cause of the fall?
Orthostatic hypotension
Which symptom of diabetes distorts tactile sensation?
Peripheral neuropathy
The nurse reminds the 80-year-old patient that her respiratory system has decreased resistance to respiratory infections. For what is this patient at increased risk?
Pneumonia
58-year-old male is concerned about some hearing loss he is experiencing. The nurse recognizes that this might be due to a sensory change of this age group known as which of the following?
Presbycusis
A patient has been experiencing visual changes from a loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye. What condition is associated with this phenomenon?
Presbyopia
What is age-related vision change caused by the loss of elasticity of the lens called?
Presbyopia
The nurse recommends a breathing technique to help a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to empty the lungs of used air and to promote inhalation of adequate oxygen. What is this method of breathing called?
Purse-lip breathing
What should be suggested to a patient to aid with the pain of claudication?
Rest
What is a major difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory
What should the nurse do to help the dysphagic patient?
Sit the patient upright Reduce distraction during mealtime Thicken liquids Cue the patient to swallow
The nurse informs of group of college students that young adults will face which challenges in this particular time of life?
Starting a family Selecting housing Job security Relations with extended Establishing intimacy
The older adult female patient is concerned about incontinence when she sneezes. What is the correct terminology for this type of incontinence?
Stress incontinence
The home health nurse assesses an older adulttsrespiratory function carefully because age related changes in the respiratory system could result in which of the following?
Susceptibility to respiratory infection
Which assessment finding is associated with normal aging?
The integumentary system loses elasticity There is loss of muscle, which increases the incidence of choking and aspiration There is a gradual loss of weight because of loss of muscle tissue and fluid
Which statement best describes demographic changes in relation to the Asian population in the United States?
The older adult population is growing twice as fast as the rest of the population In the past 50 years, life expectancy for older Americans has increased by almost 10 years
To help prevent falls related to muscle weakness, what type of exercises should be selected for the aging patient?
Weight-bearing
The patient complains to the nurse about a newly developed intolerance to milk. What should the nurse suggest to fulfill calcium needs?
Yogurt
The nurse initiates the application of a draw sheet on every bedfast patient on her unit to facilitate lifting and to prevent _________ forces.
shearing
When should family members of a stroke victim expect to see some of the neurologic involvement disappear?
within 3 to 6 months
