NUR 2214 Week 7 Quiz V2 | NUR 2214
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 7
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is explaining the difference between hospice and palliative care to a family
member. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
A. Hospice care is only for patients who are actively dying within the next 24 to 48 hours.
B. Hospice care requires the patient to give up all medications, including those for comfort.
C. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and alongside curative
treatments.
D. Palliative care is strictly reserved for patients with a terminal diagnosis of six months or
less.
Answer: C
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life at any point
during a serious illness, regardless of the prognosis. In contrast, hospice care is a specific
type of palliative care for those with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice usually
requires the cessation of curative efforts, while palliative care can occur concurrently with
curative treatments.
,2. An older adult patient is experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Which description best
matches this breathing pattern observed by the nurse?
A. Rapid, deep, and labored breathing often associated with metabolic acidosis.
B. Deep, gasping inspirations with a pause at full inspiration.
C. Slow, shallow breathing that eventually stops completely for several minutes.
D. Alternating periods of deep, rapid breathing followed by periods of apnea.
Answer: D
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a rhythmic increase in the rate
and depth of breathing followed by a gradual decrease and a period of apnea. This pattern
is common in patients who are approaching death or have significant heart failure. The
nurse must recognize this as a sign of terminal progression and provide comfort measures
for the patient.
3. The nurse is providing post-mortem care. Which action should the nurse take first after a
patient is pronounced dead?
A. Remove all IV lines and tubes regardless of whether an autopsy is planned.
B. Verify that the provider has officially pronounced the death and documented the time.
C. Call the funeral home to arrange for immediate transport of the body.
D. Wrap the body in a shroud before the family has an opportunity to visit.
Answer: B
,Rationale: Verification of the death certificate or formal pronouncement by a qualified
professional is the essential first legal step. Once the death is pronounced, the nurse can
then proceed with facility protocols for post-mortem care. If an autopsy is required, the
nurse must leave all tubes and lines in place to preserve evidence for the medical examiner.
4. A terminal patient is suffering from dyspnea and ‘death rattle’ secretions. Which
medication is most appropriate for the nurse to administer to reduce secretions?
A. Albuterol nebulizer
B. Scopolamine or Atropine
C. Morphine sulfate
D. Furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications like scopolamine patches or atropine drops are
used to dry up excessive respiratory secretions at the end of life. These secretions cause the
‘death rattle’ sound which can be very distressing for the family to hear. Morphine is used
for the sensation of air hunger or pain, but it does not reduce the volume of secretions.
5. The nurse knows that which sense is generally the last to be lost as an older adult
approaches death?
A. Hearing
B. Smell
C. Sight
, D. Touch
Answer: A
Rationale: Clinical evidence suggests that hearing remains intact longer than other senses
during the dying process. Nurses should encourage family members to continue speaking
to their loved ones in a normal, soothing tone. This practice provides emotional support
and ensures the patient feels a sense of presence until the very end.
6. An older adult patient has a Living Will. The nurse understands that this document serves
what primary purpose?
A. Designates a specific person to make financial decisions for the patient.
B. Serves as a legal document for the distribution of assets after death.
C. Outlines specific medical treatments the patient wants or does not want if they become
incapacitated.
D. Automatically grants the hospital permission to perform an autopsy.
Answer: C
Rationale: A Living Will is a type of advance directive that specifies a patient’s wishes
regarding life-sustaining treatments such as mechanical ventilation or tube feeding. It
becomes active only when the patient is no longer able to communicate their own wishes.
This document helps guide health care providers and families in making difficult decisions
that align with the patient’s values.
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 7
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is explaining the difference between hospice and palliative care to a family
member. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
A. Hospice care is only for patients who are actively dying within the next 24 to 48 hours.
B. Hospice care requires the patient to give up all medications, including those for comfort.
C. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and alongside curative
treatments.
D. Palliative care is strictly reserved for patients with a terminal diagnosis of six months or
less.
Answer: C
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life at any point
during a serious illness, regardless of the prognosis. In contrast, hospice care is a specific
type of palliative care for those with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice usually
requires the cessation of curative efforts, while palliative care can occur concurrently with
curative treatments.
,2. An older adult patient is experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Which description best
matches this breathing pattern observed by the nurse?
A. Rapid, deep, and labored breathing often associated with metabolic acidosis.
B. Deep, gasping inspirations with a pause at full inspiration.
C. Slow, shallow breathing that eventually stops completely for several minutes.
D. Alternating periods of deep, rapid breathing followed by periods of apnea.
Answer: D
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a rhythmic increase in the rate
and depth of breathing followed by a gradual decrease and a period of apnea. This pattern
is common in patients who are approaching death or have significant heart failure. The
nurse must recognize this as a sign of terminal progression and provide comfort measures
for the patient.
3. The nurse is providing post-mortem care. Which action should the nurse take first after a
patient is pronounced dead?
A. Remove all IV lines and tubes regardless of whether an autopsy is planned.
B. Verify that the provider has officially pronounced the death and documented the time.
C. Call the funeral home to arrange for immediate transport of the body.
D. Wrap the body in a shroud before the family has an opportunity to visit.
Answer: B
,Rationale: Verification of the death certificate or formal pronouncement by a qualified
professional is the essential first legal step. Once the death is pronounced, the nurse can
then proceed with facility protocols for post-mortem care. If an autopsy is required, the
nurse must leave all tubes and lines in place to preserve evidence for the medical examiner.
4. A terminal patient is suffering from dyspnea and ‘death rattle’ secretions. Which
medication is most appropriate for the nurse to administer to reduce secretions?
A. Albuterol nebulizer
B. Scopolamine or Atropine
C. Morphine sulfate
D. Furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications like scopolamine patches or atropine drops are
used to dry up excessive respiratory secretions at the end of life. These secretions cause the
‘death rattle’ sound which can be very distressing for the family to hear. Morphine is used
for the sensation of air hunger or pain, but it does not reduce the volume of secretions.
5. The nurse knows that which sense is generally the last to be lost as an older adult
approaches death?
A. Hearing
B. Smell
C. Sight
, D. Touch
Answer: A
Rationale: Clinical evidence suggests that hearing remains intact longer than other senses
during the dying process. Nurses should encourage family members to continue speaking
to their loved ones in a normal, soothing tone. This practice provides emotional support
and ensures the patient feels a sense of presence until the very end.
6. An older adult patient has a Living Will. The nurse understands that this document serves
what primary purpose?
A. Designates a specific person to make financial decisions for the patient.
B. Serves as a legal document for the distribution of assets after death.
C. Outlines specific medical treatments the patient wants or does not want if they become
incapacitated.
D. Automatically grants the hospital permission to perform an autopsy.
Answer: C
Rationale: A Living Will is a type of advance directive that specifies a patient’s wishes
regarding life-sustaining treatments such as mechanical ventilation or tube feeding. It
becomes active only when the patient is no longer able to communicate their own wishes.
This document helps guide health care providers and families in making difficult decisions
that align with the patient’s values.
