Chapter 12: Life Cycle Nutrition: The Mature Adult
1. When teaching an older adult about how many kilocalories the client should consume, the
nurse understands that for each decade past 40 years, a decrease in what percentage of
kilocalories is needed?
1. 2
2. 3
3. 4
4. 5
Ans: 4
Feedback
1. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
2. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
3. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
4. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
KEY: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance
| Cognitive Level: Comprehension
2. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is:
1. Dental caries
2. Periodontal disease
3. Scurvy
4. Vitamin A deficiency
Ans: 2
Feedback
1. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease,
not dental caries.
2. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease.
3. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease,
not scurvy.
4. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease,
not vitamin A deficiency.
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Cognitive Level: Knowledge
3. The sense of taste diminishes with age and is often the result of the loss of:
1. Teeth
2. Hearing
, 3. Smell
4. Vision
Ans: 3
Feedback
1. For the sense of taste to function well, the sense of smell must be intact. After
age 65, many people begin to lose some sense of smell. Loss of teeth may
affect the older adult’s ability to consume adequate nutrients.
2. For the sense of taste to function well, the sense of smell must be intact. After
age 65, many people begin to lose some sense of smell. Hearing is unrelated
to the sense of taste.
3. For the sense of taste to function well, the sense of smell must be intact. After
age 65, many people begin to lose some sense of smell.
4. Vision aids in stimulating appetite. However, for the sense of taste to function
well, the sense of smell must be intact. Vision is unrelated to the sense of
taste.
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Cognitive Level: Knowledge
4. Which of the following changes contributes to the danger of dehydration in the elderly client?
1. Constipation and atherosclerosis of the brain
2. Decreased basal metabolic rate and decreased skeletal muscle mass
3. Diminished gastrointestinal mucus and slowed peristalsis
4. Less-active thirst mechanism and atrophied kidneys
Ans: 4
Feedback
1. Although blood flow to the brain decreases because of narrowing of the
arteries and constipation can occur in the elderly, it is the less-active thirst
mechanism that increases the risk for dehydration in this age group.
2. Although skeletal muscle mass metabolic rate decline in the elderly, it is the
less active thirst mechanism that increases the risk for dehydration in this age
group.
3. Although gastrointestinal function slows with aging, it is the less active thirst
mechanism that increases the risk for dehydration in this age group.
4. Thirst sensation becomes less operative, increasing the risk for
uncompensated dehydration.
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of
Risk Potential | Cognitive Level: Application
5. Which of the following interventions is appropriate for an elderly client who complains that he
cannot taste his food?
1. When teaching an older adult about how many kilocalories the client should consume, the
nurse understands that for each decade past 40 years, a decrease in what percentage of
kilocalories is needed?
1. 2
2. 3
3. 4
4. 5
Ans: 4
Feedback
1. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
2. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
3. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
4. Older adults need about 5% fewer calories per decade after age 40 years.
KEY: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance
| Cognitive Level: Comprehension
2. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is:
1. Dental caries
2. Periodontal disease
3. Scurvy
4. Vitamin A deficiency
Ans: 2
Feedback
1. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease,
not dental caries.
2. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease.
3. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease,
not scurvy.
4. The major cause of tooth loss in the elderly population is periodontal disease,
not vitamin A deficiency.
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Cognitive Level: Knowledge
3. The sense of taste diminishes with age and is often the result of the loss of:
1. Teeth
2. Hearing
, 3. Smell
4. Vision
Ans: 3
Feedback
1. For the sense of taste to function well, the sense of smell must be intact. After
age 65, many people begin to lose some sense of smell. Loss of teeth may
affect the older adult’s ability to consume adequate nutrients.
2. For the sense of taste to function well, the sense of smell must be intact. After
age 65, many people begin to lose some sense of smell. Hearing is unrelated
to the sense of taste.
3. For the sense of taste to function well, the sense of smell must be intact. After
age 65, many people begin to lose some sense of smell.
4. Vision aids in stimulating appetite. However, for the sense of taste to function
well, the sense of smell must be intact. Vision is unrelated to the sense of
taste.
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Cognitive Level: Knowledge
4. Which of the following changes contributes to the danger of dehydration in the elderly client?
1. Constipation and atherosclerosis of the brain
2. Decreased basal metabolic rate and decreased skeletal muscle mass
3. Diminished gastrointestinal mucus and slowed peristalsis
4. Less-active thirst mechanism and atrophied kidneys
Ans: 4
Feedback
1. Although blood flow to the brain decreases because of narrowing of the
arteries and constipation can occur in the elderly, it is the less-active thirst
mechanism that increases the risk for dehydration in this age group.
2. Although skeletal muscle mass metabolic rate decline in the elderly, it is the
less active thirst mechanism that increases the risk for dehydration in this age
group.
3. Although gastrointestinal function slows with aging, it is the less active thirst
mechanism that increases the risk for dehydration in this age group.
4. Thirst sensation becomes less operative, increasing the risk for
uncompensated dehydration.
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of
Risk Potential | Cognitive Level: Application
5. Which of the following interventions is appropriate for an elderly client who complains that he
cannot taste his food?
