NURSING CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT
EXAM QUESTION WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
In the U.S. social policy defines old age as beginning at - Answer-age 65.
People who are 65 years old are in the lower boundary for "old age" in demographics
and social policy within the United States.
However, many older adults consider themselves to be "middle-age" well into their
seventh decade.
Chronological age often has little relation to the reality of aging for an older adult.
Each person ages in his or her own way. Every older adult is unique, and as a nurse
you need to approach each as an individual.
America is aging. The number of older adults in the United States is growing, both
absolutely and as a proportion of the total population.
There has been a 21% increase in the older adult population since 2002. Part of this
increase is caused by the increase of the average life span. The aging of the baby-
boom generation and the growth of the population segment older than 85 years
contribute to the projected increase in the number of older adults.
When caring for this group of patients, nurses must consider cultural, ethnic, and racial
diversity.
The challenge is to gain new knowledge and skills to provide culturally sensitive and
linguistically appropriate care.
Each older adult is unique and chronological age often has - Answer-little to do with the
reality of aging for each older adult.
The number of older adults in the US - Answer-is growing.
Nurses need to approach each older adult as an individual.
variablility among older adults - Answer--Great variations in physiological, cognitive, and
psychosocial health
-Vary widely in functional ability
-Most remain independent
-Aging does not inevitably lead to disability and dependence
Key concept: chronological age often has little relation to the reality of aging for the
older adult
,Most older adults are active and involved members of their communities. - Answer--A
smaller number have lost the ability to care for themselves, are confused or withdrawn,
and/or are unable to make decisions concerning their needs. Most older adults live in
noninstitutional settings. However, a smaller number have lost the ability to care for
themselves.
-Aging does not inevitably lead to disability and dependence. Most older people remain
functionally independent despite the increasing prevalence of chronic disease.
Nursing assessment provides valuable clues to the effects of a disease or illness on a
patient's functional status. - Answer-When you assess older adults, you will need to
identify their strengths, weaknesses, and abilities when developing a plan of care.
-identify an older adult's strengths and abilities during the assessment and encourage
independence as an integral part of your plan of care
The physical and psychosocial aspects of aging are closely related. A reduced ability to
respond to stress, the experience of multiple losses, and the physical changes
associated with normal aging combine to place people at high risk for illness and
functional deterioration. - Answer-Do not assume that all older adults have signs,
symptoms, or behaviors representing disease and decline or that these are the only
factors you need to assess.
myths and stereotypes about older adults - Answer--As people age, they become more
irritable and demanding
-Old people are always sick and end up in nursing homes
-Old people should just retire
-Old people like to talk about their illnesses
-Old people don't like change
-Old people don't have sex
or engage in sexual activity
These myths and stereotypes suggest that older adults are ill, disabled, boring,
unfriendly, unable to learn and understand new information, and not interested in sex or
sexual activities.
These myths and stereotypes also demonstrate ageism which is discrimination against
people because of increased age.
- Answer-
key concept - Answer-Every older adult is unique
We will make generalizations about the aging process and its effect on individuals
gerontology research - Answer-Negativity among healthcare providers can affect the
quality of care
Noninstitutionalized assess their health excellent or very good
, Centenarians- optimistic, good memories, and social
Life long learners- need to use principles for promoting older-adult learning
(creates bias)
Many older adults have lived through... - Answer-The Great Depression of 1929
Korean War 1950-1953
Vietnam War 1959-1975
Persian Gulf War 1990-1991
Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
War on terrorism 2001-present
Many older adults have witnessed... - Answer--The adventures of the international
space station
-Electricity and nuclear power replacing gaslights and steam power
-Computers and copier machines replacing typewriters and carbon paper
-The many changes in health care and the uncertainty of the future of Social Security
and Medicare
it is important to - Answer--Assess your own attitudes toward older adults, your own
aging, and the aging of your family, friends, and patients
-Form positive attitudes toward older adults
-Learn about aging and the health care needs specific to the older adult population
-Promote older adults' independence with their activities of daily living (ADL)
-Nurses need to recognize and address ageism by questioning prevailing negative
attitudes and stereotypes and reinforcing the realities of aging as they care for older
adults in all care settings.
-It is critical for you to learn to respect older adults and actively involve them in care
decisions and activities.
developmental tasks - Answer--Adjusting to decreasing health and physical strength
-Adjusting to retirement and reduced or fixed income
-Adjusting to death of spouse, children, siblings, friends
-Accepting self as aging person
-Maintaining satisfactory living arrangements
-Redefining relationships with adult children and siblings
-Finding ways to maintain
quality of life
Acceptance of personal aging does not mean retreat into inactivity, but it does require a
realistic review of strengths and limitations. - Answer-Need to cope with retirement,
residence change, and death of loved ones. All require an extended period of
adjustment, during which assistance and support from health care professionals,
EXAM QUESTION WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
In the U.S. social policy defines old age as beginning at - Answer-age 65.
People who are 65 years old are in the lower boundary for "old age" in demographics
and social policy within the United States.
However, many older adults consider themselves to be "middle-age" well into their
seventh decade.
Chronological age often has little relation to the reality of aging for an older adult.
Each person ages in his or her own way. Every older adult is unique, and as a nurse
you need to approach each as an individual.
America is aging. The number of older adults in the United States is growing, both
absolutely and as a proportion of the total population.
There has been a 21% increase in the older adult population since 2002. Part of this
increase is caused by the increase of the average life span. The aging of the baby-
boom generation and the growth of the population segment older than 85 years
contribute to the projected increase in the number of older adults.
When caring for this group of patients, nurses must consider cultural, ethnic, and racial
diversity.
The challenge is to gain new knowledge and skills to provide culturally sensitive and
linguistically appropriate care.
Each older adult is unique and chronological age often has - Answer-little to do with the
reality of aging for each older adult.
The number of older adults in the US - Answer-is growing.
Nurses need to approach each older adult as an individual.
variablility among older adults - Answer--Great variations in physiological, cognitive, and
psychosocial health
-Vary widely in functional ability
-Most remain independent
-Aging does not inevitably lead to disability and dependence
Key concept: chronological age often has little relation to the reality of aging for the
older adult
,Most older adults are active and involved members of their communities. - Answer--A
smaller number have lost the ability to care for themselves, are confused or withdrawn,
and/or are unable to make decisions concerning their needs. Most older adults live in
noninstitutional settings. However, a smaller number have lost the ability to care for
themselves.
-Aging does not inevitably lead to disability and dependence. Most older people remain
functionally independent despite the increasing prevalence of chronic disease.
Nursing assessment provides valuable clues to the effects of a disease or illness on a
patient's functional status. - Answer-When you assess older adults, you will need to
identify their strengths, weaknesses, and abilities when developing a plan of care.
-identify an older adult's strengths and abilities during the assessment and encourage
independence as an integral part of your plan of care
The physical and psychosocial aspects of aging are closely related. A reduced ability to
respond to stress, the experience of multiple losses, and the physical changes
associated with normal aging combine to place people at high risk for illness and
functional deterioration. - Answer-Do not assume that all older adults have signs,
symptoms, or behaviors representing disease and decline or that these are the only
factors you need to assess.
myths and stereotypes about older adults - Answer--As people age, they become more
irritable and demanding
-Old people are always sick and end up in nursing homes
-Old people should just retire
-Old people like to talk about their illnesses
-Old people don't like change
-Old people don't have sex
or engage in sexual activity
These myths and stereotypes suggest that older adults are ill, disabled, boring,
unfriendly, unable to learn and understand new information, and not interested in sex or
sexual activities.
These myths and stereotypes also demonstrate ageism which is discrimination against
people because of increased age.
- Answer-
key concept - Answer-Every older adult is unique
We will make generalizations about the aging process and its effect on individuals
gerontology research - Answer-Negativity among healthcare providers can affect the
quality of care
Noninstitutionalized assess their health excellent or very good
, Centenarians- optimistic, good memories, and social
Life long learners- need to use principles for promoting older-adult learning
(creates bias)
Many older adults have lived through... - Answer-The Great Depression of 1929
Korean War 1950-1953
Vietnam War 1959-1975
Persian Gulf War 1990-1991
Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
War on terrorism 2001-present
Many older adults have witnessed... - Answer--The adventures of the international
space station
-Electricity and nuclear power replacing gaslights and steam power
-Computers and copier machines replacing typewriters and carbon paper
-The many changes in health care and the uncertainty of the future of Social Security
and Medicare
it is important to - Answer--Assess your own attitudes toward older adults, your own
aging, and the aging of your family, friends, and patients
-Form positive attitudes toward older adults
-Learn about aging and the health care needs specific to the older adult population
-Promote older adults' independence with their activities of daily living (ADL)
-Nurses need to recognize and address ageism by questioning prevailing negative
attitudes and stereotypes and reinforcing the realities of aging as they care for older
adults in all care settings.
-It is critical for you to learn to respect older adults and actively involve them in care
decisions and activities.
developmental tasks - Answer--Adjusting to decreasing health and physical strength
-Adjusting to retirement and reduced or fixed income
-Adjusting to death of spouse, children, siblings, friends
-Accepting self as aging person
-Maintaining satisfactory living arrangements
-Redefining relationships with adult children and siblings
-Finding ways to maintain
quality of life
Acceptance of personal aging does not mean retreat into inactivity, but it does require a
realistic review of strengths and limitations. - Answer-Need to cope with retirement,
residence change, and death of loved ones. All require an extended period of
adjustment, during which assistance and support from health care professionals,
