NUR 2214 Week 9 Quiz V2 | NUR 2214
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 9
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is explaining the difference between hospice and palliative care to a patient’s
family. Which statement should the nurse include?
A. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice is for
the end of life.
B. Palliative care is only available to patients who have a life expectancy of less than 6
months.
C. Hospice care is only for patients who are actively undergoing curative treatments.
D. Hospice care requires the patient to be admitted to a hospital setting for all services.
Answer: A
Rationale: Palliative care is a holistic approach aimed at improving quality of life for
anyone with a serious illness. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care reserved for
individuals with a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of six months or less. This distinction
helps families understand that palliative care can coexist with curative treatments.
2. An older adult patient with advanced dementia is grimacing and guarding their abdomen.
Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate?
A. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
,B. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10
C. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale
D. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: The PAINAD scale is specifically designed to assess pain in patients who cannot
communicate verbally due to cognitive impairment. It evaluates breathing, negative
vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability. Standard scales like the
NRS or VAS require the patient to have the cognitive ability to self-report, which is often
lost in advanced dementia.
3. Which physiological change associated with aging affects how older adults metabolize
medications?
A. Reduced hepatic blood flow and liver mass
B. Increased gastric acidity
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Increased total body water
Answer: A
Rationale: The aging process leads to a decrease in liver size and blood flow, which slows
down the metabolism of many drugs. This increases the risk of drug toxicity as medications
, remain in the system longer. Nurses must monitor for adverse effects closely in this
population due to these pharmacokinetic changes.
4. A patient is experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations. The nurse recognizes this as a sign of
which condition?
A. Early-stage COPD exacerbation
B. Recovery from anesthesia
C. Acute pulmonary embolism
D. Approaching death or severe heart failure
Answer: D
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a rhythmic pattern of deep
breathing followed by periods of apnea. This pattern is commonly observed in patients
who are in the final stages of the dying process or those with significant cardiac
dysfunction. Identifying this sign allows the nurse to prepare the family for the patient’s
imminent passing.
5. What is the primary goal of the Chronic Care Model in managing older adults with multiple
comorbidities?
A. To eliminate all symptoms of chronic disease
B. To reduce the cost of healthcare by limiting access to specialists
C. To shift care from reactive to proactive, person-centered management
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 9
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is explaining the difference between hospice and palliative care to a patient’s
family. Which statement should the nurse include?
A. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice is for
the end of life.
B. Palliative care is only available to patients who have a life expectancy of less than 6
months.
C. Hospice care is only for patients who are actively undergoing curative treatments.
D. Hospice care requires the patient to be admitted to a hospital setting for all services.
Answer: A
Rationale: Palliative care is a holistic approach aimed at improving quality of life for
anyone with a serious illness. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care reserved for
individuals with a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of six months or less. This distinction
helps families understand that palliative care can coexist with curative treatments.
2. An older adult patient with advanced dementia is grimacing and guarding their abdomen.
Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate?
A. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
,B. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10
C. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale
D. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: The PAINAD scale is specifically designed to assess pain in patients who cannot
communicate verbally due to cognitive impairment. It evaluates breathing, negative
vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability. Standard scales like the
NRS or VAS require the patient to have the cognitive ability to self-report, which is often
lost in advanced dementia.
3. Which physiological change associated with aging affects how older adults metabolize
medications?
A. Reduced hepatic blood flow and liver mass
B. Increased gastric acidity
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Increased total body water
Answer: A
Rationale: The aging process leads to a decrease in liver size and blood flow, which slows
down the metabolism of many drugs. This increases the risk of drug toxicity as medications
, remain in the system longer. Nurses must monitor for adverse effects closely in this
population due to these pharmacokinetic changes.
4. A patient is experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations. The nurse recognizes this as a sign of
which condition?
A. Early-stage COPD exacerbation
B. Recovery from anesthesia
C. Acute pulmonary embolism
D. Approaching death or severe heart failure
Answer: D
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a rhythmic pattern of deep
breathing followed by periods of apnea. This pattern is commonly observed in patients
who are in the final stages of the dying process or those with significant cardiac
dysfunction. Identifying this sign allows the nurse to prepare the family for the patient’s
imminent passing.
5. What is the primary goal of the Chronic Care Model in managing older adults with multiple
comorbidities?
A. To eliminate all symptoms of chronic disease
B. To reduce the cost of healthcare by limiting access to specialists
C. To shift care from reactive to proactive, person-centered management
