Chapter 01
1. A nurse is discussing an older adult's recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis with a
colleague. Which of the nurse's statements reflects an accurate view of the relationship
between aging and wellness?
A) "It's important that the individual knows this is an expected part of growing older."
B) "We need to teach the older adult how he can keep living a fruitful life in spite of
his diagnosis."
C) "We need to make sure our teaching is not too detailed for someone of his age."
D) "We need to ensure his expectations of continuing to live alone are realistic."
ANSWER: B
Feedback:
Answer B reflects a desire to foster a fulfilling and productive life for the older adult
despite his diagnosis, and reflects an understanding of wellness and aging. Option A
implies that illness is an inevitability of aging. Option C suggests that older adults have a
limited capacity to learn by virtue of their age, and option D implies pessimism about the
health and functioning of the older adult.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 2
2.A nurse is teaching an older person about the concept of successful aging. Which of the
nurse's questions addresses an important contributor to successful aging?
A) "Are you largely free of acute or chronic illnesses?"
B) "Do you feel financially secure?"
C) "Do you feel like you actively engage with life?"
D) "Do you have a reliable support network?"
ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Research has indicated that an active engagement with life is central to successful and
healthy aging. Absence of illness, financial security, and the nature of a person's support
network are not identified components of successful aging.
, Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 3
3.An older adult has recently begun to display unprecedented lapses in short-term memory.
The nurse overhears a colleague reassuring the person by saying, "Try not to worry; it's
just a part of growing older." The nurse recognizes that this is an example of what
phenomenon?
A) Multiple jeopardy
B) Gerontophobia
C) Age attribution
D) Implicit ageism
ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Age attribution is the act of attributing a problem to age rather than to a pathology, as in
the colleague's statement. Multiple jeopardy is the compounding of discrimination based
on factors such as race and gender, while gerontophobia is the fear or hatred of older
, people. Implicit ageism is the unrecognized, negative perception of older people.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 4
4.A nurse hears a colleague make the statement, "Most older adults have nothing to worry
about financially." Which of the following responses is most appropriate?
A) "You have to remember that there's a huge economic disparity among older adults."
B) "Actually, the number of older people living below the poverty line has been
increasing, not decreasing."
C) "This isn't really true now, but it is true that the gaps that disadvantaged groups live
with are expected to shrink."
D) "This is true for some groups, but not for minorities who are less likely to be living
with their relatives."
ANSWER: A
Feedback:
An important consideration with regard to economic conditions of older adults is the
tremendous range in financial status, which varies significantly according to race, gender,
and living arrangements. The number of adults living below the poverty line, however,
has decreased in recent years. The disparities that separate disadvantaged groups from
more economically secure older adults are predicted to persist. Minorities are more likely,
not less likely, to be living with their relatives.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 5
5.A nurse is conducting a study on the needs and living situations of older adults in the
community. Which of the following statements should the nurse take into account?
A) A majority of older Americans will live in a nursing home at some point.
B) More older men live alone than older women.
C) Assisted living arrangements have become increasingly common.
D) Most older Americans reside in some form of institutional arrangement.
ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Assisted living arrangements have become an increasingly common alternative to nursing
homes. The number of Americans living in nursing homes has recently decreased, not
, increased, and more older women live alone than do older men. Ninety percent of older
Americans live in an apartment or house, rather than in an institutional arrangement.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 6
6.A nurse who provides care to many older adults recognizes the importance of
implementing a wellness approach to care. What principle underlies this approach to the
health care of older adults?
A) Older adults have decreasing expectations for wellness as they move through the
aging process.
B) Health problems are a Western cultural construct that has no objective, physiologic
basis.
1. A nurse is discussing an older adult's recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis with a
colleague. Which of the nurse's statements reflects an accurate view of the relationship
between aging and wellness?
A) "It's important that the individual knows this is an expected part of growing older."
B) "We need to teach the older adult how he can keep living a fruitful life in spite of
his diagnosis."
C) "We need to make sure our teaching is not too detailed for someone of his age."
D) "We need to ensure his expectations of continuing to live alone are realistic."
ANSWER: B
Feedback:
Answer B reflects a desire to foster a fulfilling and productive life for the older adult
despite his diagnosis, and reflects an understanding of wellness and aging. Option A
implies that illness is an inevitability of aging. Option C suggests that older adults have a
limited capacity to learn by virtue of their age, and option D implies pessimism about the
health and functioning of the older adult.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 2
2.A nurse is teaching an older person about the concept of successful aging. Which of the
nurse's questions addresses an important contributor to successful aging?
A) "Are you largely free of acute or chronic illnesses?"
B) "Do you feel financially secure?"
C) "Do you feel like you actively engage with life?"
D) "Do you have a reliable support network?"
ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Research has indicated that an active engagement with life is central to successful and
healthy aging. Absence of illness, financial security, and the nature of a person's support
network are not identified components of successful aging.
, Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 3
3.An older adult has recently begun to display unprecedented lapses in short-term memory.
The nurse overhears a colleague reassuring the person by saying, "Try not to worry; it's
just a part of growing older." The nurse recognizes that this is an example of what
phenomenon?
A) Multiple jeopardy
B) Gerontophobia
C) Age attribution
D) Implicit ageism
ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Age attribution is the act of attributing a problem to age rather than to a pathology, as in
the colleague's statement. Multiple jeopardy is the compounding of discrimination based
on factors such as race and gender, while gerontophobia is the fear or hatred of older
, people. Implicit ageism is the unrecognized, negative perception of older people.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 4
4.A nurse hears a colleague make the statement, "Most older adults have nothing to worry
about financially." Which of the following responses is most appropriate?
A) "You have to remember that there's a huge economic disparity among older adults."
B) "Actually, the number of older people living below the poverty line has been
increasing, not decreasing."
C) "This isn't really true now, but it is true that the gaps that disadvantaged groups live
with are expected to shrink."
D) "This is true for some groups, but not for minorities who are less likely to be living
with their relatives."
ANSWER: A
Feedback:
An important consideration with regard to economic conditions of older adults is the
tremendous range in financial status, which varies significantly according to race, gender,
and living arrangements. The number of adults living below the poverty line, however,
has decreased in recent years. The disparities that separate disadvantaged groups from
more economically secure older adults are predicted to persist. Minorities are more likely,
not less likely, to be living with their relatives.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 5
5.A nurse is conducting a study on the needs and living situations of older adults in the
community. Which of the following statements should the nurse take into account?
A) A majority of older Americans will live in a nursing home at some point.
B) More older men live alone than older women.
C) Assisted living arrangements have become increasingly common.
D) Most older Americans reside in some form of institutional arrangement.
ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Assisted living arrangements have become an increasingly common alternative to nursing
homes. The number of Americans living in nursing homes has recently decreased, not
, increased, and more older women live alone than do older men. Ninety percent of older
Americans live in an apartment or house, rather than in an institutional arrangement.
Origin: Chapter 1- Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness, 6
6.A nurse who provides care to many older adults recognizes the importance of
implementing a wellness approach to care. What principle underlies this approach to the
health care of older adults?
A) Older adults have decreasing expectations for wellness as they move through the
aging process.
B) Health problems are a Western cultural construct that has no objective, physiologic
basis.
