GERIATRICS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
The nurse is performing an assessment on an older client who is having difficulty sleeping at night.
Which statement by the client indicates the need for further teaching regarding measures to improve
sleep?
a) "I swim three times a week."
b) "I have stopped smoking cigars."
c) "I drink hot chocolate before bedtime."
d) "I read for 40 minutes before bedtime." - c) "I drink hot chocolate before bedtime."
Many nonpharmacological sleep aids can be used to influence sleep. However, the client should avoid
caffeinated beverages and stimulants such as tea, cola, and chocolate. The client should exercise
regularly, because exercise promotes sleep by burning off tension that accumulates during the day. A 20-
to 30-minute walk, swim, or bicycle ride three times a week is helpful. The client should sleep on a bed
with a firm mattress. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided. The client should avoid large meals;
peanuts, beans, fruit, raw vegetables, and other foods that produce gas; and snacks that are high in fat
because they are difficult to digest.
- Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words need for further teaching . These words indicate a
negative event query and ask you to select an option that is an incorrect statement. Options A, B, and D
are positive statements indicating that the client understands the methods of improving sleep.
A visiting nurse who observes that the older male client is confined by his daughter-in-law to his room.
When the nurse suggests that he walk to the den and join the family, he says, "I'm in everyone's way; my
daughter-in-law needs me to stay here." Which is the most important action for the nurse to take?
a) Say to the daughter-in-law, "Confining your father-in-law to his room is inhumane."
b) Suggest to the client and daughter-in-law that they consider a nursing home for the client.
, c) Say nothing, because it is best for the nurse to remain neutral and wait to be asked for help.
d) Suggest appropriate resources to the client and daughter-in-law, such as respite care and a senior
citizens' center. - d) Suggest appropriate resources to the client and daughter-in-law, such as respite care
and a senior citizens' center.
Assisting clients and families to become aware of available community support systems is a role and
responsibility of the nurse. Observing that the client has begun to be confined to his room makes it
necessary for the nurse to intervene legally and ethically, so option C is not appropriate and is passive in
terms of advocacy. Option B suggests committing the client to a nursing home and is a premature action
on the nurse's part. Although the data provided tell the nurse that this client requires nursing care, the
nurse does not know the extent of the nursing care required. Option A is incorrect and judgmental.
- Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words most important. Using principles related to the ethical
and legal responsibility of the nurse and knowledge of the nurse's role will direct you to the correct
option. Option A is a nontherapeutic statement, option B is a premature action, and option C avoids the
situation.
The nurse is performing an assessment on an older adult client. Which assessment data would indicate a
potential complication associated with the skin?
a) Crusting
b) Wrinkling
c) Deepening of expression lines
d) Thinning and loss of elasticity in the skin - a) Crusting
The normal physiological changes that occur in the skin of older adults include thinning of the skin, loss
of elasticity, deepening of expression lines, and wrinkling. Crusting noted on the skin would indicate a
potential complication.
- Geriatric Nursing Exam Questions Test-Taking Strategy: Note the subject , a potential complication.
Think about the normal physiological changes that occur in the aging process to direct you to the correct
option.