. Which information from a co-worker on a gerontological unit will cause
the nurse to intervene?
a. Most older people have dependent functioning.
b. Mos... [Show More] t older people have strengths we should focus on.
c. Most older people should be involved in care decision.
d. Most older people should be encouraged to have independence.
ANS: A
Most older people remain functionally independent despite the increasing
prevalence of chronic disease; therefore, this misconception should be
addressed. It is critical for you to respect older adults and actively involve them
in care decisions and activities. You also need to identify an older adult’s
strengths and abilities during the assessment and encourage independence as an
integral part of your plan of care.
2. A nurse suspects an older-adult patient is experiencing caregiver
neglect. Which assessment findings are consistent with the nurse’s
suspicions?
a. Flea bites and lice infestation
b. Left at a grocery store
c. Refuses to take a bath
d. Cuts and bruises
ANS: A
Caregiver neglect includes unsafe and unclean living conditions, soiled
bedding, and animal or insect infestation. Abandonment includes desertion at
a hospital, nursing facility, or public location such as a shopping center. Selfneglect includes refusal or failure to provide oneself with basic necessities
such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication, and
safety. Physical abuse includes hitting, beating, pushing, slapping, kicking,
physical restraint, inappropriate use of drugs, fractures, lacerations, rope
burns, and untreated injuries.
3. A nurse is teaching a group of older-adult patients. Which teaching strategy
is best for the nurse to use?
Provide several topics of discussion at once to promote independence
a. and making choices.
Avoid uncomfortable silences after questions by helping patients
b. complete their statements.
Ask patients to recall past experiences that correspond with their
c. interests.
d. Speak in a high pitch to help patients hear better.
ANS: C
Teaching strategies include the use of past experiences to connect new
learning with previous knowledge, focusing on a single topic to help the
patient concentrate, giving the patient enough time in which to respond
because older adults’ reaction times are longer than those of younger
persons, and keeping the tone of voice low; older adults are able to hear low
sounds better than high-frequency sounds.
4. An older patient has fallen and suffered a hip fracture. As a
consequence, the patient’s family is concerned about the patient’s ability
to care for self, especially during this convalescence. What should the nurse
do?
a. Stress that older patients usually ask for help when needed.
Inform the family that placement in a nursing center is a permanent
b. solution.
Tell the family to enroll the patient in a ceramics class to maintain
c. quality of life.
Provide information and answer questions as family members make
d. choices among care options.
ANS: D
Nurses help older adults and their families by providing information and
answering questions as they make choices among care options. Some older
adults deny functional declines and refuse to ask for assistance with tasks that
place their safety at great risk. The decision to enter a nursing center is never
final, and a nursing center resident so [Show Less]
