CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT MODULE 3 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT
MODULE 3 STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST
2026/2027
1 of 39
Term
what is the importance of sleep in older adults?
Give this one a go later!
- sleep is a luxury that older adults - sleep is a passive process that has
can often sacrifice to increase their minimal impact on daily cognitive
productivity and social engagement functions and memory retention
- sleep occupies one third of
- sleep primarily serves to rest the
our lives and it is a vital function
muscles and has no significant effect
that affects cognition and
on brain health or performance
performance
Don't know?
, 2 of 39
Term
how does over-nutrition affect older adults?
Give this one a go later!
- risk factors: arthritis,
- risk factors: weight loss, muscle
arthosclerosis, diabetes, stroke
atrophy, osteoporosis, and increased
(but does protect against bone
metabolic rate
density loss)
- primary benefit: increased muscle - over-nutrition has no negative
mass, improved cardiovascular health consequences for older adults
health, and complete immunity to and is generally beneficial for
chronic diseases longevity
Don't know?
3 of 39
Term
how do we assess for fall risk in older adults?
Give this one a go later!
,- sample questions:
1. what is your usual bowel pattern?
2. how many minutes did you sit on the bedpan or toilet before you had your bowel
movement?
3. how much did you have to strain before you had your bowel movement?
4. do you think you are constipated? if yes, why do you think so?
5. have you had any abdominal pain, n/v, weight loss, blood in your BM, or rectal
pain?
6. have you had any bowel or rectal surgery?
7. what type of physical activity do you engage in and how often?
- review of food and fluid intake
- review meds (OTC, herbal preps, supplements)
- psychosocial hx -> depression, anxiety, stress management
- review concurrent medical conditions
- bowel diary
- bristol stool form survey
- focused physical exam -> abd exam to detect masses, distention, tenderness, high
pitched or absent bowel sounds, rectal exam to ID painful anal disorders
(hemorrhoids or fissures, rectal prolapse, masses, anal reflex)
- other tests -> CBC, fasting glucose, chemistry panel, thyroid studies, flexible
sigmo-idaollsoclodpeyr, icno
dlio
vindousaclsop
shyo
, cutldscbaen,aaskbedd. xw-rhaeyther they have fallen in the past
year and whether they experience difficulties with walking or balance -> fall
risk assessment once a shift
- ask about falls that did not result in an injury and the circumstances of a near-
fall, mishap, or misstep -> may provide important information for prevention of
future falls
- empathy in eliciting information bc client might be afraid of losing
independence
- should include assessment of: cognition, nutrition, environment (bed at
lowest position, two side rails, clear floors, call light), meds, pathological
conditions, functional assessment, feet and footwear, home safety, and a
complete physical exam (vision and hearing, musculoskeletal and
cardiovascular status)
, (box 16-5)
1. screening questions -> have you ever leaked urine/water? if yes, how much does it
bother you? ever use pads, tissue, or cloth? dribbling most of the time? any
burning, hesitancy, or pain w/ urination?
2. screening instruments
3. bladder diary -> kept for 3-7 days by individual or caregiver, even 1 day record
can be helpful
4. patterns of fluid intake -> usual fluid intake/24 hrs, types of fluids, increased or
decreased urine output
5. bowel patterns -> frequency, consistency, straining, laxative use?
6. exploration of symptoms of UI -> start? how managed? how often? severity?
aggravating or comforting measures?
7. focused history (medical, neurological, gynecological, genitourinary) -> heart
failure, stroke, DM, MS, or Parkinson's can contribute
8. medication review -> taking diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropics, adrenergic
blockers, or CCB?
9. focused assessment -> screen for depression, cognitive, functional
10. observe individual using the toilet -> can they reach it? time it takes to get there?
able to manipulate clothes? character of urine? difficult to start or stop?
1 1. physical examination - > abd, rect l , genital, s u pra p u b ic d i ste nt i o n dic a tes
- careful skin inspection is essential a n d the nurs e is v ig i la nt i n o b s e rving ski n for
urinary retention, signs of perineal irritati on , c h e c k fo r fe ca l i m p a ct i o n o r te nderness
changes that require further evaluation - > wa tc h for d a n g e r s ig n s (A B C D E )
2 . o ther tests hat m ay b e o rde re d -> urinalysis, culture and sensitivity, PVR
1 . a -> asymmetry of a m o le
2. b -> border is irregular
3. c -> color variation
4. d -> diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser
5. e -> elevation and enlargement
Don't know?
4 of 39
Definition
1. medication review -> opioids (make sure they have an order for
stool softeners too)
2. fluid (1 1/2 L a day) and fiber review
3. exercise
AND ANSWERS | CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT
MODULE 3 STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST
2026/2027
1 of 39
Term
what is the importance of sleep in older adults?
Give this one a go later!
- sleep is a luxury that older adults - sleep is a passive process that has
can often sacrifice to increase their minimal impact on daily cognitive
productivity and social engagement functions and memory retention
- sleep occupies one third of
- sleep primarily serves to rest the
our lives and it is a vital function
muscles and has no significant effect
that affects cognition and
on brain health or performance
performance
Don't know?
, 2 of 39
Term
how does over-nutrition affect older adults?
Give this one a go later!
- risk factors: arthritis,
- risk factors: weight loss, muscle
arthosclerosis, diabetes, stroke
atrophy, osteoporosis, and increased
(but does protect against bone
metabolic rate
density loss)
- primary benefit: increased muscle - over-nutrition has no negative
mass, improved cardiovascular health consequences for older adults
health, and complete immunity to and is generally beneficial for
chronic diseases longevity
Don't know?
3 of 39
Term
how do we assess for fall risk in older adults?
Give this one a go later!
,- sample questions:
1. what is your usual bowel pattern?
2. how many minutes did you sit on the bedpan or toilet before you had your bowel
movement?
3. how much did you have to strain before you had your bowel movement?
4. do you think you are constipated? if yes, why do you think so?
5. have you had any abdominal pain, n/v, weight loss, blood in your BM, or rectal
pain?
6. have you had any bowel or rectal surgery?
7. what type of physical activity do you engage in and how often?
- review of food and fluid intake
- review meds (OTC, herbal preps, supplements)
- psychosocial hx -> depression, anxiety, stress management
- review concurrent medical conditions
- bowel diary
- bristol stool form survey
- focused physical exam -> abd exam to detect masses, distention, tenderness, high
pitched or absent bowel sounds, rectal exam to ID painful anal disorders
(hemorrhoids or fissures, rectal prolapse, masses, anal reflex)
- other tests -> CBC, fasting glucose, chemistry panel, thyroid studies, flexible
sigmo-idaollsoclodpeyr, icno
dlio
vindousaclsop
shyo
, cutldscbaen,aaskbedd. xw-rhaeyther they have fallen in the past
year and whether they experience difficulties with walking or balance -> fall
risk assessment once a shift
- ask about falls that did not result in an injury and the circumstances of a near-
fall, mishap, or misstep -> may provide important information for prevention of
future falls
- empathy in eliciting information bc client might be afraid of losing
independence
- should include assessment of: cognition, nutrition, environment (bed at
lowest position, two side rails, clear floors, call light), meds, pathological
conditions, functional assessment, feet and footwear, home safety, and a
complete physical exam (vision and hearing, musculoskeletal and
cardiovascular status)
, (box 16-5)
1. screening questions -> have you ever leaked urine/water? if yes, how much does it
bother you? ever use pads, tissue, or cloth? dribbling most of the time? any
burning, hesitancy, or pain w/ urination?
2. screening instruments
3. bladder diary -> kept for 3-7 days by individual or caregiver, even 1 day record
can be helpful
4. patterns of fluid intake -> usual fluid intake/24 hrs, types of fluids, increased or
decreased urine output
5. bowel patterns -> frequency, consistency, straining, laxative use?
6. exploration of symptoms of UI -> start? how managed? how often? severity?
aggravating or comforting measures?
7. focused history (medical, neurological, gynecological, genitourinary) -> heart
failure, stroke, DM, MS, or Parkinson's can contribute
8. medication review -> taking diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropics, adrenergic
blockers, or CCB?
9. focused assessment -> screen for depression, cognitive, functional
10. observe individual using the toilet -> can they reach it? time it takes to get there?
able to manipulate clothes? character of urine? difficult to start or stop?
1 1. physical examination - > abd, rect l , genital, s u pra p u b ic d i ste nt i o n dic a tes
- careful skin inspection is essential a n d the nurs e is v ig i la nt i n o b s e rving ski n for
urinary retention, signs of perineal irritati on , c h e c k fo r fe ca l i m p a ct i o n o r te nderness
changes that require further evaluation - > wa tc h for d a n g e r s ig n s (A B C D E )
2 . o ther tests hat m ay b e o rde re d -> urinalysis, culture and sensitivity, PVR
1 . a -> asymmetry of a m o le
2. b -> border is irregular
3. c -> color variation
4. d -> diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser
5. e -> elevation and enlargement
Don't know?
4 of 39
Definition
1. medication review -> opioids (make sure they have an order for
stool softeners too)
2. fluid (1 1/2 L a day) and fiber review
3. exercise
