HESI Hints Only- Gerontology Questions
What is a more accurate measure of age than chronological age? - ANSWER The
ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL's). The majority of this aged 65 and
older regard their health as good or excellent
Chronological age may or may not correspond to: - ANSWER Physical, mental,
social, and cultural actions and feelings
Changes in the heart and lungs result in less efficient utilization of what? - ANSWER
Of oxygen, which reduces the individual's capacity to maintain physical activity for
long periods of time. Physical training for older people can significantly reduce blood
pressure, and increase aerobic activity.
Teaching and designing rehabilitation programs for older adults should contain which
2 things: - ANSWER Exercise and nutrition
Old people often complain that they cannot get to sleep at night and do not sleep
soundly even after they fall asleep. Why is this? - ANSWER This is because they
have shorter stage sod sleep, particularly shorter cycles between 1 and 4 and REM
sleep. Stage 4 is deep sleep. They are easily awakened by environmental stimuli.
They often compensate by napping during the day which leads to further disruption
of night sleep. A common response is the us elf prescription sleeping pills, which can
create further problems of disorientation.
Peripheral circulation increases or decreases with age? - ANSWER Decreases.
Why is regular assessment of the feet important in the elderly? - ANSWER It
increase the opportunity to discoed and treat skin care problems early. These
problems could become more serious d/t decreased circulation
Differentiation of normal and pathologic causes for skin and hair conditions is
essential: - ANSWER Ie seborrheic keratosis vs melanomas
What places an older adult at risk for the development of pressure ulcers? -
ANSWER Impaired mobility, impaired skin integrity, decreased peripheral circulation,
and lack of physical activity
What are ways to help prevent or decrease the occurrence of falls? - ANSWER
Install adequate lighting, paint the edges of stairs a bright color, place a bell on any
residents cats; cats move quickly and can get underfoot, wear proper footwear that
supports the foot and contributes to balance, shoes made of non slippery materials
Aging and systolic and diastolic blood pressures: increase or decrease with age?
Physiology of blood pressure - ANSWER Both SBP and DBP increase with age, but
systolic increase more than the DBP.
Physiology of BP: expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic. Systolic refers to the
level of the BP during the contraction phase; whereas diastolic refers to the stage
when the chambers of the heart are filling with blood.
, Why are dysrhythmias particularly serious in older adults? - ANSWER Older adults
cannot tolerate decreased C.O., which can result in syncope, falls, and transient
ischemia attacks. Pulse may be rapid, slow, or irregular.
Angina symptoms in older adults may be confused with what kind of symptoms? -
ANSWER Gastrointestinal symptoms. Angina symptoms may be absent or they may
be confused with GI symptoms
With aging, what happens to the muscles that operate the lungs? - ANSWER The
muscles that operate the lungs lose elasticity so that respiratory efficiency is
reduced. Vital capacity- the amount of air brought into lungs at one time, decreases.
Breathing may become more difficult after strenuous exercise. The rate of decline
has been found to be slower in more active people. The nurse should encourage
older people to remain physically active for as long as possible.
What makes older adults more susceptible to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and
pneumonia? - ANSWER Declining muscle strength may impair cough efficiency.
What is a major cause of respiratory disability in older adults? - ANSWER COPD
What is a major cause of death in older adults? - ANSWER Aspiration pneumonia
What changes contribute to chronic constipation with age? - ANSWER The number
of enzymes in the small intestine is reduced, and simple sugars are absorbed more
slowly, resulting in decreases efficiency of the digestive process.
The smooth muscle content and the muscle tone of the wall of the colon decrease.
Anatomic changes in the large intestine result in decreased intestinal motility.
Physiologic factors, as well as abuse of over the counter laxatives, are factors
Decreases in fluid intake and mobility contribute to constipation
Is tooth loss a normal part of the aging process? - ANSWER No.
What can prevent tooth loss? - ANSWER Good dental hygiene, good nutrition, and
dental care
Why do older people tend to feel full before the entire meal is consumed and thus
appear to eat smaller quantities of food at mealtime? - ANSWER This is because the
digestive system of older people feature a decrease in the contraction time of the
muscles, and more time is needed for the cardiac sphincter to open. Therefore, it
takes more time for the food to be transmitted to the stomach.
`What poses a significant concern in older adults? - ANSWER Poor nutrition or
malnutrition.
Reason for poor nutrition in older adults: - ANSWER Chronic illness which
suppresses the appetite, hospitalization and surgery, difficulty chewing, alcohol use,
cognitive changes, depression, grief, loneliness, social isolation, and problems with
food procurement.
What is a more accurate measure of age than chronological age? - ANSWER The
ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL's). The majority of this aged 65 and
older regard their health as good or excellent
Chronological age may or may not correspond to: - ANSWER Physical, mental,
social, and cultural actions and feelings
Changes in the heart and lungs result in less efficient utilization of what? - ANSWER
Of oxygen, which reduces the individual's capacity to maintain physical activity for
long periods of time. Physical training for older people can significantly reduce blood
pressure, and increase aerobic activity.
Teaching and designing rehabilitation programs for older adults should contain which
2 things: - ANSWER Exercise and nutrition
Old people often complain that they cannot get to sleep at night and do not sleep
soundly even after they fall asleep. Why is this? - ANSWER This is because they
have shorter stage sod sleep, particularly shorter cycles between 1 and 4 and REM
sleep. Stage 4 is deep sleep. They are easily awakened by environmental stimuli.
They often compensate by napping during the day which leads to further disruption
of night sleep. A common response is the us elf prescription sleeping pills, which can
create further problems of disorientation.
Peripheral circulation increases or decreases with age? - ANSWER Decreases.
Why is regular assessment of the feet important in the elderly? - ANSWER It
increase the opportunity to discoed and treat skin care problems early. These
problems could become more serious d/t decreased circulation
Differentiation of normal and pathologic causes for skin and hair conditions is
essential: - ANSWER Ie seborrheic keratosis vs melanomas
What places an older adult at risk for the development of pressure ulcers? -
ANSWER Impaired mobility, impaired skin integrity, decreased peripheral circulation,
and lack of physical activity
What are ways to help prevent or decrease the occurrence of falls? - ANSWER
Install adequate lighting, paint the edges of stairs a bright color, place a bell on any
residents cats; cats move quickly and can get underfoot, wear proper footwear that
supports the foot and contributes to balance, shoes made of non slippery materials
Aging and systolic and diastolic blood pressures: increase or decrease with age?
Physiology of blood pressure - ANSWER Both SBP and DBP increase with age, but
systolic increase more than the DBP.
Physiology of BP: expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic. Systolic refers to the
level of the BP during the contraction phase; whereas diastolic refers to the stage
when the chambers of the heart are filling with blood.
, Why are dysrhythmias particularly serious in older adults? - ANSWER Older adults
cannot tolerate decreased C.O., which can result in syncope, falls, and transient
ischemia attacks. Pulse may be rapid, slow, or irregular.
Angina symptoms in older adults may be confused with what kind of symptoms? -
ANSWER Gastrointestinal symptoms. Angina symptoms may be absent or they may
be confused with GI symptoms
With aging, what happens to the muscles that operate the lungs? - ANSWER The
muscles that operate the lungs lose elasticity so that respiratory efficiency is
reduced. Vital capacity- the amount of air brought into lungs at one time, decreases.
Breathing may become more difficult after strenuous exercise. The rate of decline
has been found to be slower in more active people. The nurse should encourage
older people to remain physically active for as long as possible.
What makes older adults more susceptible to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and
pneumonia? - ANSWER Declining muscle strength may impair cough efficiency.
What is a major cause of respiratory disability in older adults? - ANSWER COPD
What is a major cause of death in older adults? - ANSWER Aspiration pneumonia
What changes contribute to chronic constipation with age? - ANSWER The number
of enzymes in the small intestine is reduced, and simple sugars are absorbed more
slowly, resulting in decreases efficiency of the digestive process.
The smooth muscle content and the muscle tone of the wall of the colon decrease.
Anatomic changes in the large intestine result in decreased intestinal motility.
Physiologic factors, as well as abuse of over the counter laxatives, are factors
Decreases in fluid intake and mobility contribute to constipation
Is tooth loss a normal part of the aging process? - ANSWER No.
What can prevent tooth loss? - ANSWER Good dental hygiene, good nutrition, and
dental care
Why do older people tend to feel full before the entire meal is consumed and thus
appear to eat smaller quantities of food at mealtime? - ANSWER This is because the
digestive system of older people feature a decrease in the contraction time of the
muscles, and more time is needed for the cardiac sphincter to open. Therefore, it
takes more time for the food to be transmitted to the stomach.
`What poses a significant concern in older adults? - ANSWER Poor nutrition or
malnutrition.
Reason for poor nutrition in older adults: - ANSWER Chronic illness which
suppresses the appetite, hospitalization and surgery, difficulty chewing, alcohol use,
cognitive changes, depression, grief, loneliness, social isolation, and problems with
food procurement.
