Ch 32: Health Promotion & Care for the Older Adult

When was the Social Security Act, which was the first major legislation providing financial security for older adults, passed?

1935

When discussing aging, to whom does the term older adulthood apply?

Age 65 and above

Which statements are myths that have been disproved concerning aging? (Select all that apply.)

All older adults are senile. Older adults are disabled. 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

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 nurse recognizes that a term referring to mechanical difficulty of swallowing is _.

Dysphagia

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 the nurse discusses prevention of cardiac disease, falls, and depression with a group of older adults, the benefits of what are important to stress?

Exercise

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

A change of aging related to the circulatory system includes decreased blood vessel elasticity. For what should the nurse assess?

Hypertension

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

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

When bathing an 80-year-old woman who lives on a farm, the nurse assesses brown macules on the patient's hands and forearms. The nurse recognizes these as _.

Lentigo

What is the result of a slowing of the impulse transmission in the nervous system?

Longer reaction time

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

When an older female patient complains of painful sexual intercourse, what should the nurse recognize as the probable cause?

Mucosal drying

Which approaches should be included when teaching medication safety to an older, homebound adult? (Select all that apply.)

Never share medications with others. Keep medications in their original containers

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

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?

Pursed-lip breathing

What should the nurse do to help the dysphagic patient? (Select all that apply.)

Reduce distraction during mealtime Thicken liquids Sit the patient upright Cue the patient to swallow

What is a major difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory

The nurse initiates the application of a draw sheet on every bedfast patient on her unit to facilitate lifting and to prevent _ forces.

Shearing

The older adult female patient is concerned about incontinence when she sneezes. What is the correct terminology for this type of incontinence?

Stress incontinence

What should be suggested to a patient to aid with the pain of claudication?

Walking

To help prevent falls related to muscle weakness, what type of exercises should be selected for the aging patient?

Weight-bearing

When should family members of a stroke victim expect to see some of the neurologic involvement disappear?

Within 3 to 6 months

The patient complains to the nurse about a newly developed intolerance to milk. What should the nurse suggest to fulfill calcium needs?

Yogurt

The older adult patient complains to the nurse about nocturia. This problem is most likely related to

decrease in bladder capacity