1. You are performing an initial assessment on an 80-year-old male patient admitted for an
infected right hand. The man tells you that he can no longer
... [Show More] do as many things as he used
to be able to do. What do recognize as impacting your patient's life?
A) An infectious-disease state
B) Loss of independence
C) Age-related changes
D) Loneliness
ANS: C
Age-related changes and risk factors may negatively interfere with patient outcomes and
actually impair patient activity and quality of life. Though the patient was admitted for an
infected hand, there is no place in this scenario that says this infection is long standing or
that it could impact the patient's life; similarly, this scenario does not cite that the patient
has lost his independence or that he is lonely, so these factors would not be impacting the
patient's life.
PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult REF: 202 OBJ: 4
TOP: Overview of Aging
KEY: Client Needs: C | Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Process: Nursing Process
2. A gerontologic nurse practitioner has a large patient population with heart-disease
problems. This nurse practitioner is aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death
in the aged. What is the cause of this trend?
A) Heart muscle and arteries lose their
elasticity.
B) Systolic blood pressure decreases.
C) Resting heart rate decreases with age.
D) The aged are less likely to adopt a healthy
lifestyle.
ANS: A
The leading cause of death for patients over the age of 65 years is cardiovascular disease.
Malignant neoplasms are the second leading cause. As a person ages, systolic blood
pressure does not decrease, resting heart rate does not decrease, and the aged are not less
likely to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: 203 OBJ: 3
TOP: Age-Related Changes
KEY: Client Needs: D-4 | Cognitive Level: Comprehension | Integrated Process:
Nursing Process
3. An occupational health nurse overhears an employee talking to his manager about a 65-
year-old coworker. What would the nurse be concerned about when she hears the
employee state, “He should retire and make way for some new blood”?
A) Intolerance
B) Ageism
C) Dependence
D) Nonspecific prejudice
ANS: B
Ageism refers to prejudice against the aged. Intolerance is implied by the employee's
statement, but the intolerance is aimed at the coworker's age, making option A an
incorrect answer. The employee's statement does not raise concern about dependence.
The prejudice exhibited in the statement is very specific.
PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: 209 OBJ: 7
TOP: Age-Related Changes
KEY: Client Needs: C | Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Process: Caring
4. The nurse is caring for a 65-year-old patient diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the
following blood pressure readings demonstrates hypertension?
A) 140/90 mm Hg
B) 132/88 mm Hg
C) 129/75 mm Hg
D) 120/68 mm Hg
ANS: A
Hypertension is the diagnosis given when the diastolic pressure is greater than or equal to
90 mm Hg regardless of the systolic pressure. This makes the other options incorrect.
PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: 204 OBJ: 3
TOP: Age-Related Changes
KEY: Client Needs: D-4 | Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Process: Nursing
Process
5. You are the nurse caring for a 75-year-old patient who has been hospitalized for a
fractured radius. The patient's daughter has accompanied the patient to the hospital and
asks you what her father can do for his very dry skin. What would be your best response?
A) “Bathe one to two times a week.”
B) “Use makeup to cover the wrinkles.”
C) “Avoid prolonged use of sunscreens.”
D) “Drink more milk.”
ANS: A
Patients with dry skin should be instructed to use a lubricating cream daily, avoid
prolonged exposure to the sun, bathe only one to two times per week, and maintain a safe
indoor temperature. The nurse would not suggest using makeup to cover the wrinkles,
avoiding prolonged used of sunscreens, or drinking more milk.
PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: 205 OBJ: 2
TOP: Age-Related Changes
KEY: Client Needs: D-1 | Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Process:
Teaching/Learning
6. An elderly patient has come in to the clinic for her yearly physical. The patient tells the
nurse that she is having difficulty with bowel movements. What intervention could the
nurse suggest?
A) Stress reduction
B) Increasing caloric intake
C) Adequate privacy
D) Increasing intake of water
ANS: D
Age-related changes, as well as additional risk factors such as disease and the effects of
medications, can result in a negative impact on function. Constipation is a common
problem in people who are aged. The nurse should assess the patient for frequent laxative
and antacid use, which is associated with constipation. The patient should eat high-fiber
foods, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily, and establish regular bowel habits.
Interventions the nurse would not suggest are stress reduction, eating more, or insuring
adequate privacy. [Show Less]