MH10

A son is concerned b/c his 85yr old mother likes to keep all of her newspapers in her garage, saves and reuses plastic sandwich bags, and takes a few packets of sugar when she eats at a restaurant. she shows no signs of dementia, but he is worried about her behavior. the nurse knows that individuals at this age often display the behavior known as:

Hoarding

A client with Alzheimer's disease has lost all sense of time and place and has developed visual agnosia. The client is in which of the following stages of Alzheimer's disease?

Intermediate stage In the intermediate stage, clients cannot recall any recent events, process new information, nor define the time and place.

A nurse provides an older adult with a 7-day, multi-boxed medication dispenser to systematize proper medication administration. Which step of the nursing (therapeutic) process is being followed?

Intervention An intervention may involve developing a system, such as a pill dispenser, for taking daily medications.

Which health insurance is federally funded and available to persons 65 & older?

Medicare

Which of the following statements regarding older adults is true?

Memory loss is a natural part of the aging process. Memory loss and the slowing of an older adult's mental function are normal processes of aging.

An older adult is being denied emergent medical care by his caregiver after suffering a stroke. This is an example of which form of elder abuse?

Neglect Neglect is the refusal to meet basic physical and mental health needs.

The nurse is aware, when developing a care plan, that the three major goals of care for the client in whom Alzheimer's disease has been diagnosed include providing the clients safety and well being, therapeutically managing the clients behavior, and:

Providing support for family, relatives, and caregivers

Which of the following statements is true about sexuality in many older adults?

Reproductive changes are the result of decreased hormonal levels. A decrease in hormone levels leads to physical changes in the reproductive system.

An older adult is given the diagnosis of depression and is started on medication. Which group of medications would be appropriate for the depressed older adult?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) SSRI antidepressants have fewer side effects in the elder population compared with other medications.

For several days, an elderly client becomes confused and agitated after supper. This is an example of which of the following?

Sundown syndrome Sundown syndrome describes a group of behaviors characterized by confusion, agitation, and disruptive actions that occur in the late afternoon or evening.

An elderly client with severe cardiovascular disease is given the diagnosis of dementia. Which type of dementia does the client most likely have?

Vascular Vascular dementia occurs as a complication of cardiovascular disease.

A 91yr old female pt w/ dementia is being seen by the home health nurse. she no longer recognizes her husband or children. she also has forgotten how to eat and dress ans she wanders through the house both day and night. the nurse notes that the caregiver is noticeably tired yet he is adamant that he wants his wife to be in her home. what should be the priority focus of the nurses communication w/ the husband.

inform the husband that the wifes care is too hard for him and he must place her in a nursing home as soon as possible

the early stage of alzheimer's disease is characterized by:

loss of recent memory

most individuals w/ Alzheimer's disease are cared for in:

their homes

Which of the following is decreased in people with Alzheimer's disease?

Acetylcholine The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is greatly decreased in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Which important aspect of care must the nurse consider when caring for geriatric clients?

Allow clients extra time for completion of tasks

Complications of long-term antipsychotic medication use include which of the following?

Cognitive deficits Cognitive deficits can significantly impair activities of daily living; therefore, older clients may require additional assistance.

A client with Alzheimer's disease has difficulty with bathing and dressing activities. This is an example of which type of loss?

Conative loss Conative loss relates to the loss of ability to make and carry out plans even for the simplest activities.

A hospitalized client sees snakes on the walls of the hospital room and becomes anxious. This is an example of which of the following?

Hallucination Hallucinations involve seeing things that are not really there.

Which of the following is a physical clinical finding of depression in older adults?

Headache Headache is a physical symptom of depression.

Which of the following statements is true regarding older adults?

Decreased tolerance for most drugs can result in overdoses. Decreased tolerance for most drugs can result in overdoses and severe interactions with other medications and foods.

Which of the following is a common cause of delirium?

Dehydration Dehydration is a common cause of delirium. Nurses should encourage fluids to prevent dehydration

An elderly female client on the mental unit suddenly becomes upset b/c she cant remember where she is and she says, "I cant think straight." the staff has never witnessed this behavior in the client, and this type of complaint is not documented in the nursing Hx. What is the client most likely experiencing?

Delirium

Which of the following mental health disorders commonly occurs in older adults?

Depression The most common disorders relate to loss, depression, abuse, and dementia.

An 80yr old female client arrives at the emergency dept. w/ her son & daughter-in-law, w/ whom she lives. She is found to have a broken arm. Her son & daughter-in-law seem very agitated w/ the client. when questioned about how it happened, she drops her head & mumbles that she doesn't really know. After a thorough assessment, the nurse suspects that the client is a victim of elder:

Domestic abuse

Which medication would the nurse expect to be prescribed for a client with moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease?

Donepezil (Aricept) Donepezil (Aricept) is an anticholinesterase agent used to improve cognitive functioning

Which therapeutic intervention would the nurse include in a care plan for a client with Alzheimer's disease?

Frequently orient to time, place, and person. Frequent orientation and daily routines are necessary for clients with Alzheimer's disease.

What is the most common and most frequently underdiagnosed mental health disorder of late adulthood?

depression